Man pins theft suspect in Middletown parking lot

A father and his daughter were charged with theft after they were caught allegedly stealing tools from a van that was parked at Lowe’s on Towne Boulevard.

Paul Fugate, 46, of Middletown, was charged with theft and his daughter, Brandi Fugate, 30, of Middletown, was charged with complicity to theft, according to a police report. They allegedly tried to steal about $2,000 worth of tools around 11 a.m. Tuesday, police said.

The owner of the work van told police that after leaving Lowe’s, he walked toward his vehicle and saw Paul Fugate inside. Fugate’s daughter was standing between two vehicles and as the van owner and his friend approached, Brandi Fugate said: “We need to leave,” according to the report.

The van’s owner pulled Paul Fugate out of the vehicle and held him down on the ground until Middletown police officers arrived.

Brandi Fugate was later found running between houses in the area of Wellington Road and Lefferson Road. She was also found to have an active warrant for failure to appear/petty theft.

Paul Fugate also had a warrant through Middletown Municipal Court for failure to comply. He also was trespassed from the Lowe’s store, police said.

Paul Fugate’s charges were bound over to a Warren County Grand Jury. Brandi Fugate will have her preliminary hearing next week in Middletown Municipal Court.

Maj. David Birk called the incident “a theft of opportunity” and said the Fugates have a history of drug abuse in the city.

While Birk said the incident “worked out,” he said those who see illegal activity should call 911 instead of taking “the law into their hands.”

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