A Findlay man has been charged with the theft of nearly $1,000 in work from artists’ booths at the Black
Swamp Arts Festival.
John E. Powell, 50, was scheduled to appear in Bowling Green Municipal Court this afternoon of charges of
receiving stolen property and theft. After his arrest Saturday afternoon, he was lodged at the jail, no
bond allowed.
According to police, a patrolman at the festival was approached by two different people who reported a
shoplifter had tried to remove items from booths. When confronted in one incident, the suspect returned
a gold necklace that was taken. Soon after, another woman reported the same man had attempted to
shoplift from another vendor.
Police located Powell in City Lot 2, near the main stage. Upon asking Powell to provide receipts for the
items in his bag, he admitted he had taken the art pieces without paying for them.
Linda Brown, chairperson for the festival’s visual arts committee, worked with police to return the
merchandise to the proper artists. She said the artists were grateful and impressed by the quick police
response to the incident.
Among the items taken were a flower metalwork sculpture priced at $375; stag earrings priced at $128 plus
jewelry from other artists valued at about $120; works of wood from three artists, valued at $58; a
glass pendant, priced at $28; leather shoes valued at $145; plus a magnet and mug mat with combined
value of $30.
The ownership of two recovered items could not be determined.
Powell also took miscellaneous items from the Ben Franklin and Mesmerize stores on South Main Street.