COLUMBUS – Either Donald Hurley has a gift for irony or is completely blind to it, according to Columbus authorities.
Hurley, 32, is accused of stealing a wireless home security system valued at $229.99 from a retailer on the Far East Side. According to the office of City Attorney Richard Pfeiffer, Jr., hewas detained at the scene by the store’s loss prevention personnel, the merchandise was recovered and he was charged with theft, a misdemeanor.
The Johnstown man, who has a criminal record, brought attention to himself by initially trying to break open a box containing a Swann security system in plain sight and, failing that, got a knife from his car and returned to the store where he cut open the box and shoved the system’s components down his pants, said first assistant Columbus city Prosecutor Bill Hedrick.
Hurley needed the security system “to keep other thieves from stealing items he’s already stolen,” said Pfeiffer.
Hedrick says Hurley further brought attention to himself by wearing a conspicuous t-shirt that proclaimed, “This is what awesome looks like.”
“If you show up to steal something while wearing a t-shirt that announces ‘this is what awesome looks like’ I think people are going to notice,” Hedrick said. “Compound that with the fact that he stole a home security system and I am left to wonder, is this a thief with a flair for satire or does irony just completely escape him?”
A warrant was issued for Hurley’s arrest after he failed to comply with several summonses to appear in court to answer a theft charge filed against him, Hedrick said.
Hurley’s past criminal record includes charges of DUI, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, felony possession of heroin, felony possession of cocaine, felony possession of marijuana, and felony probation violation.
Anyone with information on Donald Hurley is asked to contact Hedrick at 614-645-8874.