This week, Ohio small towns have seen their fair share of bizarre and foolish criminal acts. From cocky fugitives to dumb criminals leaving tragedy in their wake, these stories will leave you shaking your head. Here’s a roundup of the top five dumbest criminals in small towns across Ohio.
The Disguised Dunkin’ Donut
Our first head scratcher comes from Chillicothe, where 22-year-old Alan Murphy attempted to rob a Dunkin’ Donuts while dressed as a giant donut. His costume hindered his movements, making it easy for the employees to subdue him until the police arrived. Murphy now faces charges of attempted robbery and public indecency. We could not find out why Murphy was charged with public indecency. Perhaps his donut holes were showing.
Wanted Man Sends Police A Selfie
Donald “Chip” Pugh, 45, thought it would be a good idea to send police a selfie after they issued an arrest warrant for him. Pugh, who was wanted for failing to appear in court on charges including arson and vandalism, tagged a photo of himself to the Lima Police Department because he didn’t like the mugshot they used. His arrogance led to his quick capture when tips poured in following his social media stunt.
The Giant Eagle Tragedy
Crimes committed by dumb criminals can sometimes lead to tragic and unforeseen consequences. Sadly, this was the case in Dayton.
On June 13, Bionca Ellis, 32, followed a mother and her son out of a Giant Eagle supermarket and attacked them. The surprise attack caused the mother to drop her toddler. The incident, captured on security footage, resulted in the tragic death of three-year-old Julian Wood. Ellis was arrested and charged with murder and assault.
The Overconfident Drunk Driver
In Jackson, Ohio, a man pulled over for erratic driving attempted to convince officers he was sober by challenging them to a field sobriety test. His overconfidence was his undoing, as he failed the test miserably and was arrested for DUI. The man’s attempt at bluffing the police only led to more charges.
Man Attempts Robbery with “Invisibility Spray”
In Newark on June 13, 2024, James Douglas, 34, believed he could turn invisible by spraying himself with a can of deodorant. He walked into a convenience store, demanding money, but was quickly subdued by the store clerk and arrested by the police. Douglas claimed he thought the spray would make him invisible.
Maybe next week, there won’t be any dumb criminals for me to tell you about. Somehow, I think my job with this feature will not end anytime soon.
