Suspected vehicle thief gets trial date

A Willard man charged with several felonies in connection with stealing a vehicle will go to trial in June.

Ronald D. Ruff, 34, of 2560 Niver Road, has a June 18 trial on one count each of grand theft of a motor vehicle, theft and tampering with evidence. He entered "not guilty" pleas to each of the felonies Monday in Huron County Common Pleas Court.

Also charged in connection with the Nov. 16 incident is Sammie Jo Shaarda, 27, formerly of Willard. She faces the same three charges as Ruff, but hadn't been arraigned as of Monday.

Investigator Bob McDowell, of Huron County Prosecutor Russell Leffler's office, said he attempted to serve Shaarda with her indictment last week, but was not able to do so at her former address. McDowell said authorities have issued a warrant for her arrest.

On Jan. 9, Ruff was arrested at gunpoint during a traffic stop near Woodland and Main streets in Willard. The Willard Police Department assisted the Huron County Sheriff's Office.

"He was not armed and somewhat cooperative," sheriff's Maj. Greg Englund said after Ruff's arrest.

Ruff, who is out on a $30,000 bond, has a separate trial date of June 25 on receiving stolen property stemming from a vehicle-related offense on Nov. 2.

One of the suspected crimes happened on Townline Road 111, Plymouth. The sheriff's office investigated the case.

As a condition of his bond, Ruff is prohibited from having any association with Shaarda and four witnesses, three men and a woman.