NORTHWEST PRESS
Your Community Press newspaper serving Colerain Township, Green Township, Groesbeck, Monfort Heights, Pleasant Run, Seven Hills, White Oak
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015
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Township police knew about terror suspect Staff Report
Green Township Police Lt. Mitch Hill said Christopher Lee Cornell was on the department’s radar, although officers hadn’t run across him within the past 12 months. “We were aware of him,” Hill said. Cornell, 20, of Green Township, is accused of using cyberspace to plot to assassinate Congressional employees and attack the U.S. Capitol for his personal jihad. He was charged with attempted killing of U.S. government officers and possession of firearms in furtherance of an attempted crime of violence. He’s being held in the Butler County Jail without bail. Cornell showed up as a lone protester at the ceremony the township hosted in September 2013 to dedicate its 9/11 memorial, Hill said. Cornell held a handwritten sign regarding the 9/11 attacks and stood silently in protest, committing no crime. Hill said township officers also identified him as a person of interest related to a few acts of graffiti vandalism that oc-
Cornell - Then
Cornell - Now
curred in the township more than a year ago, but Cornell was never officially named a suspect and was never charged. Hill said there wasn’t enough evidence to directly connect Cornell to the spray-painting incidents. Green Township police were indirectly involved in assisting the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, Hill said, noting the department had officers at the Hearne Road apartment when Cornell was taken into custody at the gun shop. Green Township Trustee Chairman Tony Rosiello said he’s received numerous calls and emails from folks about the alleged terror plot. “It’s unnerving and people are very surprised,” he said. “What happened here exemplifies what is going on in Mid-
dle America, not unlike what has taken place in Minnesota (the FBI thwarted a domestic terror plot in Minnesota in May 2013). “We now know this can happen anywhere,” he said. While the FBI led the investigation of Cornell, Rosiello said the Green Township Police Department was asked to cooperate and provided an interrogation room at the police station for the federal agency to use as a base of operations and to conduct interviews. He applauded federal authorities for their work and said the township was happy to assist. “I think there are two messages we can take away from this,” Rosiello said. “First, the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement agencies do a great job protecting us every day. And second, it’s important for us not to overreact, but do remain vigilant.” The fact a Green Township resident is alleged to have plotted a terrorist attack doesn’t necessarily provide cause for raising any security or alert sta-
WHAT’S ONLINE Cornell case: Here’s what we know; don’t know http://cin.ci/1y2Ei06 Father: Terror plot suspect was a ‘momma’s boy’ http://cin.ci/1C5qxz9 Terror suspect a stranger at mosque he claimed as own http://cin.ci/1y2Ei06 Suspect remembered as ‘quiet’ student http://cin.ci/1C5veZY
tus in the township, Hill said. “It is just a good reminder that anything can happen anywhere and to always be vigilant,” Hill said. Point Blank Range & Gun Shop president and CEO Tom Willingham didn’t know what to think when the FBI approached him about helping them arrest someone they suspected of wanting to commit a terrorist act on U.S. soil. “Nobody knew enough to be scared,” Willingham said. “We knew everyone (law enforcement) was in place.” Willingham’s employees sold
two semi-automatic rifles at about 11 a.m. Wednesday to Cornell, also known as Raheel Mahrus Ubaydah, at the Colerain Township location. “We did not know (Cornell). He came in for a purchase,” Willingham said. After the gun store employees ran Cornell’s name through the national background check system to ensure he had no criminal record and was eligible to buy guns – “Not anyone can come in and buy a gun and walk out,” Willingham said – Cornell was sold what Willingham called “sporting rifles.” In addition to the M-15 rifles, Cornell also bought 600 rounds of ammunition. When Cornell left the store and walked to the parking lot of the business in the 7200 block of Harrison Avenue, he was arrested by the Joint Terrorism Task Force. A Colerain Township police officer was part of that task force. Colerain Township Police Chief Mark Denney said Melissa Cooper, assigned to the FBI’s See SUSPECT, Page A2
Northgate theaters hope to open Jan. 22 By Jennie Key jkey@communitypress.com
Fingers crossed, the Xscape 14 Theaters at Northgate Mall are aiming for a soft opening Jan. 22. Operators are untangling a permit snag, but hope to welcome patrons to the new theater on Thursday. R. Scott Bagwell, vice president of operations for Aliance Management Co., said once the permits are in finalized, an inspection will take place, and hopefully, movies will begin to show in the cushy theaters. Xscape features digital projection, Dolby sound and comfy red leather recliners. Two of the 14 theaters are IMAX-like experience.
The Xtreme Theaters boast screens that measure 71 feet diagonally and have seven-channel Dolby Surround Sound. There is a $1 per ticket upcharge for movies in the Xtreme theaters “It’s an intense movie experience,” Bagwell said. Workers are still scurrying to put the finishing touches in painting, installing place, screens, signage and working in the concession and lobby areas. The theater has entrances in the mall and from the parking lot on the south side of the mall. Bagwell said the theater has been hiring, and will eventually employ about 50 people, most part-timers. He said there have been about 200 applicants for the positions.
JENNIE KEY/THE COMMUNITY PRESS
R. Scott Bagwell, vice president of operations for Aliance Management Co., shows off the comfy leather recliners found in all the Northgate theaters
MOCK TURTLE SOUP Rita shares soup recipes A7
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JENNIE KEY/THE COMMUNITY PRESS
The theaters at Northgate feature stadium seating with comfortable leather recliners, digital projection and Dolby sound.
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