EATON — An Eaton man who escaped from Eaton Police custody on Thursday evening, Sept. 7, is in custody at the Preble County Jail this week after a series of crimes which led to a stabbing and a manhunt which included both Preble and Montgomery County authorities.
William “Bill” McClellan, 49, was considered armed and dangerous while on the run, according to Sheriff Mike Simpson.
McClellan was captured in Montgomery County on Friday evening, with the help of Brookville, Clayton, Englewood and Dayton Police officials.
The Preble County Sheriff’s Office investigated the stabbing which occurred Friday morning, Sept. 8, in the 4300 block of Cemetery Road, west of Eaton.
“At approximately 8:45 a.m., Preble County dispatch received a report of a male subject who was at the corner of US 35 and Cemetery Road, suffering from a stab wound,” Simpson said in a press release.
According to Simpson, deputies arrived on scene and determined the victim had been involved in an altercation at his residence, located just down the road on Cemetery Road. “The victim’s cell phone had been stolen by the suspect, which prompted the victim to walk to US 35 to flag down help,” Simpson said.
The preliminary investigation indicated a male suspect arrived at the victim’s residence and knocked on the door. When the victim answered, the suspect forced his way into the residence. A struggle ensued during which the suspect stabbed the victim.
“The suspect tied the victim up and fled the residence in the victim’s car,” Simpson reported.
The stabbing victim was a 63-year-old man. He was transported by Eaton EMS to Preble ER, and then airlifted to Kettering Hospital by MedFlight with serious injuries.
The suspect, identified as McClellan, stole three handguns as well, according to the release.
McClellan escaped custody Thursday evening after being arrested by Eaton Police Division on outstanding felony warrants. He was was wanted for felonious assault, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, robbery, motor vehicle theft, and theft. Eaton Police reported McClellan had assaulted a 90-year-old female family member, and stolen her vehicle from her residence in Eaton.
He was originally arrested on Thursday, Sept. 7, but was able to escape the custody of officers and flee the area, according to information released by the EPD. “At the time he escaped, Bill was handcuffed, was not wearing shoes,” EPD reported.
The PCSO, Lewisburg PD, and Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted in a search for McClellan, which included an aerial search by the OSP.
Additional charges McClellan faces from the latest incident include resisting arrest, escape, kidnapping, obstruction of official business, theft of a firearm, theft of a motor vehicle, felonious assault, and aggravated burglary, according to reports.
