Middletown police make arrests in theft of $78K worth of construction equipment

Two Middletown men were arraigned today on charges of stealing construction equipment valued at about $78,000.

Robert Clark, 52, of Buena Avenue, and Clarence Paugh, 52, of Ogden Drive, appeared in Middletown Municipal Court Friday morning after being arrested Thursday by Middletown police. Both men are accused of thefts from two construction sites in the city over the last several weeks, according to the police Facebook page.

Police said the investigation led to other items located that were entered stolen through the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, which assisted with the investigation.

During follow-up visits to both construction locations, police recovered several stolen items including a Bobcat skid-loader valued at $18,000; and a Kubota Mini-Excavator valued at $52,150.

Clark was charged with two counts of receiving stolen property. A preliminary hearing was set for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 13 to determine if there is probable cause that a felony crime has been committed and bind the case over to a Butler County grand jury. Clark was released on bond Friday pending his next hearing, according to Middletown City Jail records.

Paugh was charged with two counts of felony theft and receiving stolen property. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing and his case was bound over Friday to a grand jury. Paugh remains in custody under a $20,000 bond, according to court records.

Police thanked the public who assisted in the investigation and said the case remains under investigation with more charges pending. Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact Detective Brook McDonald 513-425-7745.

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