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A city resident was taken into custody Monday morning for a felony theft charge after he allegedly attempted to scam the family of a man involved in a local shooting case.
The theft suspect, Clarence R. Davis, 43, of 814 Heritage Court, Apt. 3, Bellefontaine, was booked into the Logan County Jail about 5:45 a.m.
Deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office report Mr. Davis recently had been in the jail and came into contact with shooting suspect Evan J. Hoffman of Bloom Center while both men were en route to Bellefontaine Municipal Court.
Mr. Davis reportedly told Mr. Hoffman that he could assist his family with hiring an attorney. Mr. Hoffman has been charged and pleaded guilty in connection with an underage drinking party at his 6089 County Road 21 home where a Jackson Center boy was shot dead Dec. 27.
After the theft suspect was released from jail, he contacted the shooting suspect’s father, Frederick Hoffman of Lewistown.
Mr. Davis reportedly told the elder Mr. Hoffman that the family’s 1996 Chevrolet S-10 pickup could cover his son’s attorney expenses. The pickup was turned over to Mr. Davis.
However, the defendant allegedly sold the pickup in Dayton, and it later was recovered by officers of the Dayton Police Department.
He then contacted Frederick Hoffman again, and stated that he needed additional cash to cover their attorney expenses.
Mr. Davis made arrangements to meet Frederick at the U.S. Route 33 roadside rest Monday morning. However, deputies were informed of the situation by the Hoffman family, and they also responded to the area about 2 a.m.
The theft suspect arrived at the rest area driving a Pontiac Sunfire with license plates from the Hoffman’s Chevrolet S-10. He was arrested and transported to the jail.
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