Wig Can’t Fool Cops

By CASEY JUNKINS
BELLAIRE — A Moundsville fugitive who managed to elude police for nearly two weeks was arrested in a Bellaire home Thursday while attempting to conceal his identity with a wig.

Bellaire police Lt. William Shallcross said Patrick Joseph Hall, 21, was arrested at 3210 Monroe St. in the All-American Town at 7 p.m. Thursday. Shallcross said Hall was being held on a warrant for burglary and assault on an officer.

“Hall was taken to the Belmont County Jail and is now awaiting extradition to West Virginia,” Shallcross said late Thursday.

Shallcross said Bellaire officers received a tip about Hall from Trooper William Lemon of the West Virginia State Police. “Once we got the tip, we had an idea where he would probably be. Bridgeport and Shadyside units backed us up, and we went to the residence to make the arrest,” he said.

Though Hall allegedly had threatened there would be a shootout if police attempted to take him into custody on charges that stemmed from a November burglary in the Moundsville area, Shallcross said the suspect did not resist arrest Thursday.

“He did not attempt to resist arrest, but he did try to hide and tried to conceal his identity by wearing a wig. Obviously, that didn’t work,” Shallcross said.

Police attempted to arrest Hall Dec. 15 for burglary, but he reportedly jumped from the window of his home before fleeing on foot. Three days later, he avoided police and escaped from the Dorsey Apartments in Moundsville. The search for Hall included 25 homes over the course of those three days.

According to reports from the Belmont County Sheriff’s Department, the search also involved homes in St. Clairsville and Powhatan Point. At least one home in Wheeling was involved in the search as well.

Lemon said Thursday that Hall will be facing charges of burglary, battery on an officer, obstructing an officer and fleeing on foot when he is transferred to the Mountain State.

“We also believe there are some people who gave him some assistance in hiding from us, and these individuals could be charged with aiding and abetting,” Lemon said, noting those individuals suspected of helping Hall include residents of both Ohio and West Virginia.

Lemon expressed appreciation for the efforts of law enforcement officials in both states in tracking down Hall.

Staff writers Gabe Wells and Annie Dimmick contributed to this report.