Early Saturday morning Bellefontaine Police Officers responded to a report of a stolen license plate observed on a red Cadillac entering the city limits on West Sandusky Avenue. The vehicle was located in a driveway on North Detroit Street, occupied by a single female in the driver’s seat.
The female, identified as Jeannie Heintz, exited the vehicle upon seeing officers. After confirming the stolen plate, was indeed reported as stolen, Jeannie initially denied knowledge of the plate’s status but later admitted she was aware it was stolen. Heintz claimed her boyfriend, Ronald Shoffner II, was driving the vehicle but had left to visit a friend across the street.
Officers located Shoffner and brought him back to the scene. Shoffner admitted he had been driving the vehicle but was surprised to find his license suspended. Both Shoffner and Heintz denied the presence of illegal items in the vehicle. Heintz refused consent for a vehicle search, prompting the involvement of Officer Hostetler and his K9 partner.
K9 Pyro alerted to the presence of narcotics, leading to a probable cause search. During the search, officers discovered multiple pieces of drug paraphernalia, including glass pipes, a plastic pipe, and a digital scale with white powder residue, in various locations within the vehicle.
Heintz, secured in the patrol car, was read her Miranda Rights but denied ownership of the paraphernalia. She gave inconsistent explanations about the stolen license plate, claiming it was borrowed with permission. Shoffner was also read his Miranda Rights, admitted the paraphernalia was his, and expressed surprise about the license plate being stolen.
Dispatch confirmed the plate’s owner did not know Heintz. Heintz was arrested for receiving stolen property, and Shoffner was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were transported to the Logan County Jail and lodged on their respective charges. The stolen license plate and drug paraphernalia were seized and placed into evidence, and the vehicle was towed by Topps Towing.
The case has been forwarded to the Bellefontaine Municipal Prosecutor’s Office for Shoffner and the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office for Heintz.
