On Saturday, March 19, 2022 the Adair County Sheriffs office was assisting the CPD in trying to locate a vehicle that had been stolen from Fairground Street and was involved in a collision. Chief Deputy Brandon Hitch located the stolen Dodge truck on KY 551 after observing a gate that looked like it had been driven through. The operator had fled on foot. The vehicle was released to Columbia Police who are conducting the investigation.
A short time later, Deputy Tracy McCarol received a call of an abandoned vehicle on Bull Run Lane. Upon arrival, Deputy McCarol checked with the registered owner to find that the 2000 GMC had been stolen. While recovering the vehicle, a male was located coming out of the woods and was detained by deputies. He was identified as Daryl Hale, 60, of Columbia. Hale admitted to stealing both vehicles and being involved in the collision on Fairground Street.
Hale was arrested and charged with Theft By Unlawful Taking (auto) and Criminal Mischief 2nd degree. More charges are pending from the Columbia Police Department in reference to the first vehicle theft. Hale was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail.
