COLUMBUS – He may look like a teen idol but he has the instincts of a serial thief.
Authorities are looking for an 18-year-old man they have nicknamed the “Boy Band Bandit” due to his “boyish looks and feeble attempts at thug-like posturing,” according to the office of Columbus City Attorney Richard Pfeiffer, Jr., who has named Michael Stanley “Fugitive of the Week.”
“While Mr. Stanley may look like a boy band reject, he is behaving like a deliberate and prolific thief,” said First Assistant City Prosecutor Bill R. Hedrick.
Stanley, whose last known address was listed as Kail Avenue on the South Side has been charged with nine counts of theft and has three active warrants for his arrest after being accused of stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of tool kits from Lowe’s stores throughout Franklin County, Pfeiffer said.
He also has been connected to thefts in Fairfield County.
Despite his name, Stanley seems to have developed what Hedrick termed “brand loyalty” for DeWalt tools during his alleged crime spree, during which he allegedly stole items from six different Lowe’s locations on nine separate occasions.
Stanley’s alleged crimes and items stolen:
April 25 – Lowe’s, Brice Road: DeWalt combo kit valued at $349
April 26 – Lowe’s, Georgesville Road: DeWalt combo kit ($349)
May 1 – Lowe’s, Park Mill Run Drive: DeWalt combo kit ($299)
May 6 – Lowe’s, Brice Road: DeWalt combo kit ($549); and Lowe’s, Morse Crossing: DeWalt combo kit ($199)
May 9 – Lowe’s, Polaris Parkway: DeWalt tools valued at $299
May 12 – Pfeiffer says he returned to the Park Mill Run Drive Lowe’s to steal a $299 DeWalt tool kit.
June 3 – Lowe’s, Polaris Parkway: DeWalt combo kit ($299)
June 8 – Lowe’s, S. High Street: DeWalt combo kit ($549)
Anyone with information on Michael Allen Stanley is asked to contact First Assistant City Prosecutor Bill R. Hedrick at 614-645-8874 or brhedrick@columbus.gov.