Wanted Ohio man who sent "selfie" to police is arrested
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. -- A wanted Ohio man who police say sent them a "selfie" because he didn't like his mugshot was arrested Tuesday in Florida, according to authorities.
Donald "Chip" Pugh , 45, was arrested in Century, Fla., near Pensacola, after someone called in a tip, according to the Escambia County, Florida Sheriff's Office. The story made national headlines after Pugh, wanted on a failure to appear warrant in Lima, Ohio, sent police there a selfie with the caption: "Here is a better photo that one is terrible." The Ohio department released Pugh's self-selected photo on its Facebook page.
Lima, Ohio officials thanked local police in Florida and credited the arrest to "the power of social media and tips called in to authorities" in a statement on their Facebook page. The Escambia County, Fla. Sheriff's Office released Pugh's new mugshot on its Facebook page and jested: "How's this photo Donald Pugh?"
"Maybe that selfie helped people identify you better?" the Facebook post read, along with the hashtag, #thanksfortheselfie.
Police in Lima launched a search for Pugh after he skipped a court date on a DUI charge, police there tell 48 Hours' Crimesider. He's also a person of interest in several other cases including an arson and vandalism, Lima police say.
Pugh was being held in Florida on additional warrants out of Columbus, Georgia. It wasn't immediately clear what the charges were.