LAKEMORE: A man who asked Springfield Township police for a ride wound up being arrested after they found he was carrying a stolen purse.
Police say Daniel L. Beaver, 33, was found standing outside Tri-County Plaza on Canton Road at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. He told them he had been waiting for a taxi for more than a half-hour and asked for a courtesy ride home.
Police performed a consensual search before letting him into the car.
According to a report, officers found a purse that had been stolen from the patron of a local all-night gaming parlor about 45 minutes earlier. The purse had no cash, and credit cards inside had not been used, police said.
A police spokesman said searches are customary for security reasons before giving anyone a ride. If the person declines, they are denied a ride but are allowed to leave unless they are intoxicated.
Beaver was taken to Summit County Jail on charges of receiving stolen property, drug abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia.
