COLUMBUS – As Hallowe’en approaches, Columbus city officials, with tongues partly in cheek, are stepping up their efforts to locate a Williamsport man they say is willing to take candy from babies.
On March 24, less than two weeks before Easter, Gary Lee Boling, Jr., allegedly stole nearly $180 worth of Easter candy and authorities say shelves stocked with Hallowe’en treats may be more temptation that the man they call the “Sweet Tooth Swindler” can resist.
“Given Mr. Boling’s criminally-inclined sweet tooth and his record of driving offenses, I’m just hoping he doesn’t resort to stealing straight out of the bags of trick-or-treaters who come to his door this Halloween,” said First Assistant City Prosecutor Bill R. Hedrick, who says the office of City Attorney Rick Pfeiffer has named Boling its “Fugitive of the Week.”
In March, security personnel at a South Side grocery store caught Boling, 45, walking out the door with a cart piled high with Easter candy, as well as a bottle of Kamchatka vodka buried among the chocolate bunnies, Hedrick said.
Two arrest warrants were issued after Boling failed to appear in court to answer charges of theft, operating a vehicle without a license and driving under suspension, Hedrick said.
Hedrick says records indicate Boling’s criminal history includes charges of felonious assault, criminal damaging, aggravated burglary, resisting arrest, endangering children, domestic violence, OVI, and multiple driving suspensions.
Anyone with any information concerning Boling’s whereabouts is asked to call Hedrick’s office at 614-645-8874.