Roofers catch suspect at Maumee motel
6/21/2008A North Toledo man tried to evade arrest yesterday by hiding on a motel roof before being taken into custody for filling a stolen car with stolen gas three times this week, Maumee police said.
Michael L. Fench, 24, of 1918 1/2 Walnut St. was charged with receiving stolen property, three counts of petty theft, and resisting arrest.
He was being held in the Lucas County jail without bond pending his arraignment Monday in Maumee Municipal Court.
A man was at the Speedway gas station on Reynolds Road at Dussel Drive about 11:45 a.m., filling up a stolen 1996 Dodge Neon.
Gas station employees recognized him as the person who twice earlier this week filled up a vehicle and failed to pay for the gas, police said.
The employees called police and slowed the flow of gas to allow time for officers to arrive.
When they got there, the man fled on foot to the Econo Lodge Inn, 150 Dussel.
The suspect hid on the roof after climbing up a roofer's scaffolding.
Two roofers tackled him and detained the suspect until police arrived, Chief Robert Zink said.