UPDATE: Officer Accused of Receiving Stolen Property

MOUNT GILEAD, Ohio

A Mount Gilead police officer was taken back into custody after several stolen items were allegedly found inside his home late last week.

Officer Joseph Q. Hughes, 26, of Bellville, was charged with five new counts of breaking and entering, grand theft and evidence tampering.

According to the Morrow County Sheriff's Office, police and deputies executed search warrants at two locations and found several stolen items, including an air conditioning unit that was located at the county courthouse.

Hughes was fired from his police officer job, according to the Morrow County sheriff.

Last week other air conditioning units were found at Hughes' house near the Richland-Morrow county line and another location, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

Hughes posted a $500,000 bond on Wednesday before the warrants were executed later in the week.

Officer Arrested for Theft

MOUNT GILEAD, Ohio

Morrow County authorities arrested a Mount Gilead police officer this week after a search of his home uncovered a dozen stolen air conditioners, Sheriff Steven R. Brenneman said today.

Officer Joseph Hughes, 26, of Bellville, has been charged with two counts of receiving stolen property and one count each of obstructing justice, theft in office and tampering with evidence.

The air-conditioning units belong to Morrow County and were to be installed in offices inside the county courthouse. The units had been loaded by county maintenance workers onto a trailer and were reported missing from the community services building June 9, Brenneman said.

The sheriff said State Highway Patrol officials received the initial tip about Hughes' potential involvement and contacted Mount Gilead police. The police chief then asked Brenneman to take over the investigation.

Deputies searched Hughes' house near the Richland-Morrow county line and another location Tuesday, Brenneman said.

Hughes has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. He posted a $500,000 bond Wednesday.