Brooklyn M. Hughes, 28, at large, was charged Tuesday, Oct. 4, with theft after officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department followed up on a Monday incident at The Fun Company, 136 S. Main St.
An employee of the business reported Hughes was in the business for nearly an hour in a play area with her daughter. The suspect and her daughter purchased some candy using a debit card around 2:40 p.m. As they were at the counter, the employee asked if a doll the girl was holding came from the play area. Hughes reportedly said the girl had brought the doll from their temporary home in the city.
They left the store with the doll.
Surveillance footage showed they did not enter with the $80 doll. Hughes was identified through social media posts and her debit card information.
She was not located at her previous North Lewisburg residence by deputies of the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office.
However, the next day an officer on patrol spotted her walking eastbound on Court Avenue near Madriver Street. She had returned the doll to the store and claimed the owner no longer wanted to pursue charges. The owner had not indicated as much to the police so the officer issued Hughes a summons.
The store owner was contacted afterwards. She confirmed the doll was returned and that she wanted to pursue charges.
Wanted man arrested
Randall Lowrance, 37, of Bellefontaine, was arrested at gunpoint Tuesday on a felony warrant for aggravated trafficking in drugs.
He was found inside a residence in the 400 block of Walker Street when officers responded to a 9:15 p.m. well-being check.
An officer recognized Lowrance through the glass window of the front door. Lowrance retreated into the residence and would not open the door.
Other officers arrived and surrounded the residence, as Lowrance has a history of extreme aggression towards officers.
They began talking to Lowrance using a public address system and then through a window. The suspect agreed to exit through the front door.
He complied with orders and was taken into custody.
He was lodged in the Logan County Jail.
Officers found an 84-year-old man inside in good condition.