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A citizen’s report helped authorities properly identify a man arrested Sunday.
Johnathon “Mike” Allen, 34, lied to officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department and corrections officers at the Logan County Jail and identified himself as Christopher L. Lane, 35.
He provided the correct Social Security number and date of birth during his arrest and booking.
He continued his ruse during his appearance Monday before Bellefontaine Municipal Court Judge Ann E. Beck on charges of possession of drugs and possession of heroin.
Later Monday afternoon, police were notified that Mr. Allen was lying about his identity. The caller said the booking photograph published online was not Christopher Lane, who is now living in Crossville, Tenn.
Officers tried to contact Mr. Lane, but he would not answer nor return calls.
A check of records revealed that Mr. Allen was wanted on two local felony warrants.
Officers compared photographs of the two men and noted they looked similar.
An officer confronted the suspect at the jail with the photographs and he admitted he lied. He told police he has been friends with Mr. Lane for about 20 years. He hoped using Mr. Lane’s identity would get himself back on the streets and using heroin faster.
Authorities report his fingerprints eventually would have come back with a positive identification, but the citizen’s tip sped up the process.
Mr. Allen was one of three people arrested around 9:25 p.m. Sunday. Three units of heroin were recovered from his clothing during the arrest.
His case has been referred to the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office for additional charges.
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