Ex-Toledo detective is charged with theft

9/1/2004

A former Toledo police detective, who resigned from the department 21 years ago, was arrested yesterday and charged with stealing more than $25,000 from his elderly father.

Dale Vaughn, 64, of 196 Moss Creek, was being held in the Lucas County jail pending arraignment today in Toledo Municipal Court on a charge of theft from the elderly, a second-degree felony. He is accused of taking the money from his father, Earl Vaughn, 89, of West Toledo, between December, 2001, and July, Sgt. Chris Delaney said.

Mr. Vaughn had permission to use his father's ATM card to pick up items for him, such as medicine and other equipment. However, he is accused of using the card at casinos without his father's knowledge or permission, the sergeant said.

He said Mr. Vaughn admitted using the money but disputed the amount.

Detectives have been investigating the case for about a month. They arrested Mr. Vaughn without incident about 11:30 a.m. at his home.

Mr. Vaughn resigned in January, 1983, after 19 years on the force. Earlier that month, he and another former detective, Harold Young, were indicted by a Lucas County grand jury on charges of theft in office.

They were accused of keeping a car stereo, valued at more than $200, that had been taken in a burglary and later recovered by police.

Mr. Vaughn pleaded guilty to a first-degree misdemeanor of retaining stolen property. Young pleaded guilty to a charge of receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony.

Both were fined $1,000 and were placed on probation. Mr. Vaughn's record was expunged in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Both men resigned from the force after the indictments.

Contact Christina Hall at

chall@theblade.com

or 419-724-6007.