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Former pro baseball player arrested

Police say he stole a set of DVDs of the TV show McHale’s Navy from a Barnes and Noble store.

Submitted photo Russ G. Foster

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By Dave Greber, Staff Writer Updated 11:09 PM Monday, December 7, 2009

WEST CHESTER TWP. — A local former professional baseball player was arrested this weekend on a charge of theft.

West Chester Twp. police arrested Russ G. Foster, 56, of 12 Queens Court, at 3:45 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6, at Barnes and Noble, 9455 Civic Centre Blvd. Foster allegedly stole a collection of DVDs, according to police.

Store employees told police that they caught Foster taking a three-season DVD series of the television sitcom McHale’s Navy. The items together cost $129.97, according to police reports.

Store security told police that Foster ran behind the business with the merchandise, then hopped a fence and headed toward Interstate 75.

Police caught up with him near the exit ramp to Union Centre Boulevard, and located a backpack containing the disputed DVDs in a bush nearby, according to reports.

Foster, who reportedly told police that his employer was the New York Yankees, was charged with misdemeanor theft and transported to the Butler County Jail. He posted a $1,130 bond Sunday afternoon.

Foster has been arrested by West Chester Twp. police on charges of theft in 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2007, according to records.

His preliminary hearing has been set for 8 a.m., today, Dec. 8, in Butler County Area III Court.

The Miami University graduate is in his 26th year as the director of the Cincinnati Baseball School, according to his personal Web site. Foster runs the school out of his West Chester Twp. home.

The Web site also says that Foster played baseball and football at Miami, was drafted by the San Francisco Giants into their minor league system and pitched for the Seibu Lions in the Japanese Major Leagues.

Foster was born in Mobile, Ala., and graduated from Colerain High School.

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