Man sent to prison for dumping stolen police gear

A West Side man was sentenced Tuesday to 2 years in prison for disposing of a military rifle and other items stolen from an unmarked Columbus police SUV.

Randolph Wagoner, 54, of Union Avenue, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence, obstructing official business and a gun specification.

The sentence, imposed by Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Stephen L. McIntosh, was recommended by prosecuting and defense attorneys.

Two other men were charged with stealing numerous items — including an M-16 automatic rifle and a .40-caliber handgun — from the SUV after breaking into the vehicle last July 13 while it was parked behind the York Steak House on West Broad Street in Franklin Township.

Investigators determined that Wagoner took possession of the rifle and some of the other stolen items and eventually got rid of them, said Assistant Prosecutor John Gripshover.

The guns haven’t been recovered.

Wagoner’s attorney, Brian Joslyn, said his client “fell into the drug trade” and became a heroin addict after serving in the U.S. military.

Wagoner said he has served three prison stints as a direct result of his addiction, but has “done a lot of soul searching” since his arrest in this most recent case.

“This will be my final episode,” he told the judge.

Craig Stewart, 35, one of the men accused of breaking into the police vehicle, was placed on probation in January for three years — six months of which was to be served in Franklin County’s Community-Based Correctional Facility.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and one count of being a felon in possession of a gun. He agreed to cooperate against his co-defendants as part of his plea.

Buford D. Lowery, 38, is scheduled for a court hearing Thursday on charges of theft, tampering with evidence and improper handling of a gun in a motor vehicle for his role in the case.

Stewart remained in a truck while Lowery broke into the SUV, investigators said.

In addition to the guns, items stolen from the SUV included two ballistic vests, a gun belt, handcuffs, flashlights and other gear, Gripshover said.