Tiffin man accused of intentionally ramming his neighbor’s garage door with his car as part of ongoing dispute

Lang
3/8/24
A Tiffin man is accused of causing over $1,000 in damage to his neighbor’s garage door by ramming it with his car as part of an ongoing dispute.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office says sometime on February 19th 59-year-old Jeffrey Serum of Kimberlite Street used his 2009 Dodge Journey to ram his neighbor’s garage door, causing enough damage that it needed to be replaced.
Serum reportedly denied to deputies having any involvement. However, an investigation reportedly turned up paint transfer and damage to the Journey that was consistent with that found on the garage door. Deputies say Serum later admitted to backing into the door. Arrest records indicate he has a history of harassment and property damage against the other party. Investigators say he also lacks valid insurance for his vehicle.
Serum is also accused of breaking a no-contact order with his neighbor by yelling derogatory terms at him and another tenant from his deck on the same day as the garage door incident. The order is in place until 2027.
Serum is charged with 3rd Degree Criminal Mischief, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability and a no-contact order violation. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of two years in jail.