Ohio man stole a pool from a company

MUSKINGUM COUNTY, Ohio — A Newark, Ohio, man was sentenced to two years in prison for stealing a swimming pool from a Zanesville business, according to Muskingum County Attorney Ron Welch.

Charles E. Hess, 48, appeared before Judge Kelly Cottrill in Muskingum County Commonwealth's Court on March 27 for sentencing.

He faces two years in prison for felony robbery and theft, officials said.

On July 20, 2023, Hess and an accomplice reportedly visited a retail store in Zanesville. Hess asked a store employee to help load the pool into a shopping cart while his accomplice gathered the pool supplies.

Authorities said the two pretended to be waiting in line at the customer service desk, then left the store without paying. When the clerk approached the two, Hess got into the car, leaving her accomplice behind.

The total value of items stolen from the business was over $600.

Muskingum County Prosecuting Attorney Ron Welch said Hess has demonstrated a long history of criminal activity.

“This is Charles Hess' second conviction for a felony, but his criminal history stretches back nearly 30 years,” said Prosecutor Welch. “He has consistently failed to be a law-abiding citizen. Hess was also on probation in Licking County for a theft charge when he committed this crime, and that probation cannot rehabilitate him.” certified.”

Prosecutor Welch said she hopes Hess, like other criminals, is not released early from his sentence.

“We want him to serve his entire sentence. However, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections has not allowed the offender to commit low-risk crimes even though a judge found his criminal history to the contrary.” “We have consistently found ways to release people who have committed crimes,” prosecutor Welch said.

(Video in story shows top story for Thursday, March 28, 2024)

https://www.wtrf.com/ohio/ohio-man-stole-a-swimming-pool-from-a-business/ Ohio man stole a pool from a company