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Man suspected of stealing from elderly caputured
Donald Sears
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON — A man suspected of victimizing elderly people in the Tri-State was captured in this month near Columbus, Ohio, according to the U.S. Marshals Service C.U.F.F.E.D. Task Force.
Donald L. Sears, 48, was captured Aug. 14, in Champaigne County, Ohio. The U.S. Marshals Service learned of his capture Thursday.
The Task Force said Sears is wanted on felony warrants from at least six police agencies in Ohio and West Virginia. Some of the crimes happened in Ceredo, Milton and Athens County, Ohio.
Sears was added to the “Tri-State's Most Wanted” list in June.
Ceredo police first alerted the area to Sears. Police Chief Jack Butcher named him as a suspect of June 12 home invasion the 100 block of B Street. Butcher said the victim was in their 80s.
The intruder entered the Ceredo residence and forced the female resident to sign over a blank check. Butcher said she was forced to accompany him on a walk to the bank, where they cashed the check.
Police obtained surveillance video from the Ceredo bank.
A few days earlier, Milton police believe Sears victimized an 84-year-old woman. That department’s report states a man matching Sears' description took advantage of an Alzheimer's patient.
The Milton report states the man visited the woman's residence about June 4 in the 1800 block of Sunset View. He claimed to be her neighbor who lived across the street. He told the woman he needed money to help his mother, who was just being released from the hospital.
The victim handed over a blank check, and he had her sign it. The man took the check to City National Bank and cashed it for $480.
According to the Athens Messenger, Sears was indicted by an Athens County grand jury with felony theft from the elderly. The indictment stems from an incident where Sears allegedly convinced a 77-year-old woman to sign a personal check, while claiming the money would help his mother who was living in West Virginia. He claimed the victim knew his mother.
Athens County borders West Virginia along the Ohio River, south of Parkersburg, W.Va.
