While the best way for an Ohio fugitive to be helpful to police would have been to just turn himself in, Donald A. Pugh decided that he knew what he had to do. He sent police a selfie to replace his “terrible” mugshot.
On Jan. 6, the Lima, Ohio Police Department posted two photos on Facebook of Pugh after he missed a court appearance. The post included a mugshot and a weird smiling photo Pugh took when he was booked. That photo gained notoriety, but his story gained even more attention after he sent a selfie taken in his car to the police. “Here is a better photo that one is terrible,” Lima wrote.
“This photo was sent to us by Mr. Pugh himself. We thank him for being helpful, but now we would appreciate it if he would come speak to us at the LPD about his charges,” the police department wrote.
According to LimaOhio.com, Pugh, 45, is a person of interest in arson, vandalism and other cases. He’s also had run-ins with the law for domestic violence, breaking and entering and disorderly conduct.
Pugh did an interview with 104.9 FM, a local classic rock station, telling the DJs that police “just did me wrong... They put a picture that made me look like I was a THundercat or something.” He claimed that the smiling photo came about because he knew he wasn’t being charged with a DUI.
Despite all the trouble he’s caused for police, there is a Facebook page called “Free Chip Pugh,” which has 417 likes.
At this point, we can only hope for a reality show with Pugh, “hot mugshot guy” and “cute mugshot girl.” What could go wrong?
This photo was sent to us by Mr. Pugh himself. We thank him for being helpful, but now we would appreciate it if he would come speak to us at the LPD about his charges.
Posted by Lima Police Department on Wednesday, January 6, 2016