UPDATE: 5/9/26 9:15 AM
A Bellefontaine man is facing felony charges after police say he stole a van from downtown Bellefontaine Wednesday afternoon before being found hiding in a barn near Cherokee Hills Golf Course.
According to the Bellefontaine Police Department, officers handled a situation with 29-year-old Jakob Yule early Wednesday afternoon.
Family members told officers that Yule was experiencing a mental health crisis, were concerned about his well-being, and that he was trespassing at a property.
Police say the family was attempting to get him help and did not initially want criminal charges filed.
While officers were still investigating the trespassing complaint, dispatchers received a report of a stolen van in the 200 block of East Columbus Avenue.
Officers noted the suspect description matched Yule.
Investigators say the van owner, who was visiting from Kentucky for a funeral, had been sleeping inside the running vehicle when Yule allegedly entered the driver’s seat.
The owner told police he ordered Yule out of the van, but Yule reportedly drove away after making incoherent statements and inhaling from a can.
The victim told police there was also a loaded firearm under the driver’s seat at the time of the theft.
A statewide alert was issued, and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office later found the stolen van abandoned at Cherokee Hills Golf Course.
The firearm was recovered safely, although the victim’s phone and vehicle keys were initially missing.
A short time later, a family member contacted authorities and reported Yule was hiding in a barn at a nearby property.
Deputies, Bellefontaine police officers, detectives, and a K-9 unit responded and took Yule into custody without incident.
The victim was brought to the scene and positively identified Yule as the suspect, according to police.
Yule was lodged in the Logan County Jail and is facing a charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle.
Additional charges could be considered as the investigation continues.
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29-year-old Jakob Yule was arrested Wednesday evening after allegedly stealing a van from downtown Bellefontaine.
According to the Bellefontaine Police Department, the vehicle was reported stolen in the early afternoon.
Law enforcement later found the van at a known address outside the city limits, a short time after the report was made.
Police say Yule was taken into custody and lodged in the Logan County Jail on a charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle.
Authorities say additional details surrounding the incident are expected to be released soon.
