Fourth Suspect in Geauga County Amish Family Home Robbery Taken Into Custody

I still remember reading about this case and feeling a knot in my stomach. In Middlefield Township, a tight-knit Amish community experienced a violent home invasion that left everyone on edge. Last week, an Amish family was targeted in what authorities describe as a “particularly disturbing” crime—a robbery that wasn’t just about money, but fear, control, and intimidation.

It all started when strangers approached the family under the guise of being potential customers for their business. At first glance, they seemed harmless, almost polite—but behind that mask, they were scouting the property for weaknesses. This wasn’t a random burglary. The suspects carefully chose their target, planning how to get inside and what to take.

For the family, what began as a normal day quickly turned into a nightmare. Even before the physical violence started, the sense of betrayal—having strangers walk onto their property under false pretenses—was enough to shake their sense of safety. And knowing that the adults and a young child were involved makes you pause and think: how vulnerable any of us could be when criminals plan with such precision.

Arrests and Suspect Profiles

By Thursday afternoon, law enforcement had taken a big step toward justice. Ricky Lee Martin, 43, from Canton, was arrested in Bainbridge Township. According to the official Facebook page of the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office, Martin had been using his role as an “Amish taxi driver” to scout Amish homes and businesses for potential burglaries. It’s chilling to think that someone could use trust and a community role to plan crimes.

Martin now faces charges of complicity to commit aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, and is being held pending his court appearance. But he wasn’t acting alone. Bradford Hosler, 33, the primary suspect, was arrested in Canton after investigators tied him to the stolen vehicle and multiple property crimes. Hosler had a GPS monitor on him at the time, highlighting just how brazen and careless he was.

Then there were William Hatfield, 44, and Randall Cromer, 36. Both were arrested by the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at a Canton residence. Their arrests underline the level of coordination between multiple agencies to ensure the suspects didn’t slip away.

Law enforcement’s swift action mirrors cases in other regions, like Miami Gardens, where police arrested an 18-year-old following a violent home invasion and shooting.

Investigation and Evidence

The investigation itself was intense. Investigators worked tirelessly, reviewing surveillance footage, tracking license plates, and piecing together every detail of the crime. According to WKYC, the stolen 2020 Chevy Colorado used in the robbery was linked to multiple property crimes in Stark County, showing this wasn’t the suspects’ first crime.

Listening to the 911 call makes the gravity of the situation real. The father, fearing for his 8-year-old son, calls in as the suspects ransack the home. It’s raw, unfiltered fear—a glimpse into what families experience in these violent crimes.

Law enforcement pieced together the timeline meticulously, proving that modern tools like GPS tracking, surveillance cameras, and cross-county coordination are critical in catching these criminals.

Timeline of the Robbery Events

On October 9, at 5:26 p.m., the nightmare began. Three men in a black pickup truck gained entry under the guise of potential customers. They restrained the father, forced him and his son inside, and searched the house for cash.

The 8-year-old was dragged toward their vehicle but managed to break free—a heroic moment that saved him from further danger.

The violence escalated: the father was hit in the face with a wooden crate, shocked multiple times with a taser, and threatened with death. The suspects left with roughly $5,000 in cash. Footage from a gas station in Akron shows them laughing about the crime roughly 90 minutes later.

Sheriff Scott A. Hildenbrand’s words stuck with me: “These are grown men celebrating victimizing an 8-year-old child. They’re just big bully scumbags.”

Incidents like this aren’t isolated—similar home invasions have occurred in other states, such as South Carolina, where two men were charged after targeting a residential property in Pitt County.

Impact on the Amish Community

It’s easy to read about crimes in a news feed and move on—but this affected a real community. The Amish community in Middlefield Township is tight-knit, and the violation of their trust runs deep.

Children and adults alike now face heightened anxiety about strangers, even those posing as legitimate visitors.

Yet, there’s resilience. Neighbors and community members rallied together, checking on families, reinforcing safety measures, and supporting each other emotionally.

Seeing that kind of unity reminds you that even in the darkest situations, communities can hold strong.

This isn’t the first time Amish families in Northeast Ohio have faced such assaults; authorities previously arrested a suspect in a similar case targeting an Amish household.

Lessons Learned and Preventive Measures

Reading this, you might ask yourself: “How can I protect my family or community?” There are takeaways here beyond the headlines:

• Verify strangers before letting them onto your property.
• Be aware of patterns of criminal activity in your area.
• Use modern safety measures like cameras, alarms, and community alert networks.
• Maintain communication with local law enforcement and know emergency numbers.

Understanding the methods the suspects used—posing as customers, scoping properties, coordinating in vehicles—can help prevent future crimes. It’s not about fear; it’s about awareness and action.

If you want quick alerts and updates about home invasions and safety tips straight to your phone, you can join a WhatsApp updates channel that covers similar incidents in your area.

Legal Proceedings and What Comes Next

The legal process is now underway, and the stakes are high. Bradford Hosler, the primary suspect, was arraigned in Chardon Municipal Court and faces charges including aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and aggravated kidnapping. His bond was set at $750,000, reflecting both his criminal history and the severity of the crime. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday, October 20, and once the investigation wraps up, the case will move to the Geauga County Grand Jury.

Ricky Lee Martin, William Hatfield, and Randall Cromer are also facing serious felony charges. Martin’s bond was set at $500,000, while Hatfield and Cromer each have a $750,000 bond. All three men are expected in court for preliminary hearings next week. It’s a reminder that even in rural areas, serious crimes are treated with the full force of the law—and coordination across local and federal agencies plays a crucial role in bringing perpetrators to justice.

As this case unfolds, it raises questions for all of us about safety, vigilance, and community awareness. How prepared are we to protect our families and neighbors? Have we considered the ways criminals might exploit trust or routine?

I want to hear from you: if you live in a rural community, what steps have you taken to ensure your family’s safety? Share your thoughts—your experience might help someone else stay safe.

For more real-life safety stories and home security updates, visit our Home Security section for the latest reports.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on official reports and publicly available sources. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Details may change as the investigation and legal proceedings continue.