Clark County man remains jailed, accused in Mercer County theft ring

UPDATE @ 10:15 a.m. (Aug. 8) 

Celina police said the arrest of a New Carlisle man, accused in multiple thefts across the region, was a “case of law enforcement agencies working together for the good of the community as a whole.”

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Officers were investigating a theft the occurred at the Walmart on July 24, when detectives were able to connect the suspects to multiple other thefts across the region, Celina police said in a media release Tuesday.

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“After many hours of investigation and surveillance, Celina Police officers, on August 2nd, were able to conduct a traffic stop on Fredrick Hale and make an arrest,” police said. “He was also found to be in possession of criminal tools used in thefts around the area as well as stolen goods.”

Police said information used during an interview with Hale after his arrest led to information about other thefts across the region including in Miami County and Minster. The information led to search warrants, which were executed by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, and recovered thousands of dollars of stolen property, Celina police said.

On Monday, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office said locations in Clark and Shelby counties were also part of the searches where stolen items were recovered.

Police said additional charges from Celina and other jurisdictions are still pending the review of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.

Hale remains housed in the Mercer County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

EARLIER REPORT (Aug. 7)

A New Carlisle man has been charged for his alleged role in a multi-county theft ring that originated in Mercer County.

Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Gray said deputies opened an investigation into Frederick Hale Jr., 49, of New Carlisle after receiving a tip from the Celina Police Department earlier in August, according to a media release.

Gray said their investigation led to searches of locations in Clark and Shelby counties, where investigators found and seized several stolen items.

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“Most of the items were stolen from businesses throughout the state” Gray said in the release. “The items seized includes two lawn mowers taken from TSC of Celina, Ohio as well as coolers, box fans, grills, and chairs from the Dollar General store located at State Route 219 and U.S. 127.”

Hale has been arrested on felony charges of theft and is being held in the Mercer County Jail on $100,000 bond.

At the time of his most recent arrest, Hale was out of jail on bond for previous theft and  pattern of corrupt activities charges, Gray said.

The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the case to determine if other charges will be filed.