MILLBURY — A Michigan man faces several charges with he allegedly tried to steal a motel safe, crashed a vehicle while fleeing and climbed a tree to avoid apprehension.
Ricky Lee Warthen, 33, Newport, Michigan, was charged with tampering with evidence, safe cracking, failure to comply with the order of a police office, vehicular vandalism, possessing criminal tools, breaking and entering, and criminal damaging, according to Mike Blair with the Lake Township Police Department.
Warthen was arrested Wednesday after climbing up a tree to allegedly escape authorities. A woman who was with him has not been charged. Warthen is reportedly still hospitalized.
The couple reportedly broke into the office of the Super 8 on Latcha Road around 5 a.m. and tried the steal the safe. They were interrupted by the manager of the Super 8 and fled.
The couple’s vehicle crashed at Walbridge and Lemoyne roads.
Warthen allegedly took off and a perimeter was established. Drones, K9s and Ohio State Highway Patrol aviation were called into assist.
Warthen was reportedly spotted 40 feet up in a pine tree at Interstate 280 and Walbridge Road. A S.W.A.T. team negotiated with him and he was arrested around 11 a.m., Hummer said.
Classes at Lake Local Schools were delayed two hours.
