UPPER SANDUSKY — A Dollar Tree employee found dead in a store here Sunday had been struck numerous times with a machete, allegedly by a man who had entered the store, police said.
Officers found Keris L. Riebel, 22, dead at the scene, authorities said Monday. A suspect, Bethel M. Bekele, 27, was booked on a charge of murder, police said in a social media post on Monday afternoon.
About 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Upper Sandusky police were dispatched to the Dollar Tree on a report of a man waving a machete around inside the store and that an employee had been struck, authorities said.
Before police arrived, the suspect left the store, police said. Mr. Bekele was found Sunday in the 100 block of South Fifth Street, detained for further investigation and later booked, police said,
The Wyandot County Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation.
"At this time, the motive is unclear," Police Chief Jared Lucas said in a statement. "Detectives are currently investigating what, if any, relationship exists between the victim and suspect."
Upper Sandusky is about 65 miles south of Toledo.
First Published January 2, 2023, 8:06 p.m.
