A Rushsylvania man, Rex Kidder, 46, was arrested after deputies say he threatened a man with a gun and stole his truck, leading to a high-risk traffic stop in Bellefontaine.
The Logan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call around 9:00 p.m. Saturday on West Rush Street, where a victim reported that Kidder had put a gun to his head and driven off in his black Chevrolet 2500 pickup.
Deputies later spotted the vehicle traveling south on U.S. 68 and initiated a traffic stop. The truck continued briefly before stopping in a McDonald’s parking lot, where officers conducted a high-risk stop. Kidder was taken into custody with assistance from the Bellefontaine Police Department.
Inside the truck, deputies found a Smith & Wesson M&P pepper ball pistol, which resembles a real firearm and was loaded with one pepper ball and two metal pellets. Authorities also reported finding two 12-packs of Bud Light and noted signs of alcohol consumption.
According to investigators, the victim had met Kidder earlier at a gas station, and the two later returned to the victim’s home. The victim told deputies Kidder became angry, pointed the gun at him, and threatened to shoot him before driving away in the truck.
Kidder later told investigators the victim had allowed him to borrow the vehicle and denied making threats.
He is currently held in the Logan County Jail and faces charges of aggravated robbery (first-degree felony) and aggravated menacing (first-degree misdemeanor). Authorities say an additional charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle may be added pending verification of ownership.
