A video led to the identification and arrest of a Butler man in connection to a series of thefts from motor vehicles, city police announced Thursday, Feb. 8.

Butler City Police identified Elijah Claypoole, 24, on Thursday following reports of thefts from cars that occurred in the city over the past several days.

Elijah Claypoole

According to police, officers were able to identify Claypoole after examining video surveillance from one of the alleged victims and confirming his identity with Butler County Probation.

Police stated officers observed video of the suspect “entering his residence on East North Street wearing the same clothes as he had on during the thefts.”

A search warrant was obtained and served on Claypoole’s residence, police stated, and “many items” that were reported stolen — as well as items that had not been reported stolen — were recovered from his home.

Chief Robert O’Neill stated in an email the stolen items were “too many to list,” and included “anything that could be found in a car.”

City police encourage residents who have experienced vehicle thefts to call 911 and report the incident to have their property returned and the charges included, police stated.

Charges, including theft, loitering and prowling, receiving stolen property, and criminal mischief, are pending, according to the news release.

In June, Claypoole was ordered to pay $2,018 in restitution to Cammisa’s Auto Body in Butler after pleading guilty to a felony charge of theft in February 2022. He had also pleaded guilty to a felony charge of conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking following a December 2021 incident, and sentenced to two concurrent terms of 6 to 18 months in prison followed by 12 months of probation.

Police confirmed in a phone call that Claypoole was on probation at the time of his arrest, and that he was detained by County Probation and is being held in Butler County Jail.

City police reminds residents to report suspicious activity and lock their car doors.