Man pins theft suspect in Middletown parking lot

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.”