This past week, small-town crime stories in Ohio showcased some truly mind-boggling criminal antics. Here are the top five dumbest criminals who made headlines with their baffling decisions.
Thief Arrested After Snatching GPS-Tracked Tool
John Williams, 34, attempted to steal power tools from a construction site in Van Wert. Unbeknownst to him, one of the tools was equipped with a GPS tracker. Police easily located Williams at his home, where he was promptly arrested. The police expressed their appreciation to Wiliams for helping them catch him so quickly.
I’m Not My Brother’s Keeper
Kevin Roberts, 29, attempted to evade Chillicothe police on June 6th by giving his brother’s name during a traffic stop. However, he was caught when his brother, who had no outstanding warrants, came to the station to clear his name after seeing his name on the mugshot list. Roberts was charged with obstruction of justice and impersonation.
The Unlucky Burglar
On June 4th, Sarah Mitchell, 27, broke into what she thought was an empty house. Unfortunately for her, it belonged to an off-duty police officer in Findlay, Ohio. Surprised by the intrusion, Officer James Harrison quickly apprehended Mitchell, who claimed she was just looking for a place to stay.
Gas Station Heist Hits a Snag
We go from one story about an off-duty officer to another unfortunate encounter.
In Gallipolis, a man attempted to rob a gas station on June 1st, but his plan was quickly thwarted when he realized the cashier was a retired police officer. The suspect, visibly nervous, attempted to flee but was apprehended by the officer, who detained him until local police arrived.
The Not-So-Secret Stash
Johnathan Mills, of Athens, thought he had the perfect hiding spot for his stash of stolen goods – under his neighbor’s porch. Unfortunately for him, his neighbor’s new security camera captured everything. Mills was arrested after the footage showed him repeatedly moving items in and out of his hiding spot. He is now facing charges of theft and trespassing.
These stories highlight that crime doesn’t always pay, especially when the criminals aren’t exactly masterminds.
