Former Summit County deputy charged with theft had prior theft arrests before SCSO hired him

AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) – 19 Investigates has learned the former Summit County Sheriff’s Deputy – accused of stealing thousands of dollars in overtime pay – has two prior theft arrests. Records show those arrests occurred years before SCSO hired him to work as a deputy.

So the question now is why did you hire SCSO in the first place?

In September 2021, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office hired Marcello Thomas to work as a deputy at the jail.

Last month 19 investigate first reported a grand jury secretly indicted Marcello Thomas on 12 felonies after investigators said he stole thousands of dollars in overtime and didn’t work.

According to reports, Thomas stole more than 380 hours of overtime between December 2023 and May 2024, totaling $21,157.23..

19 Investigations began looking into Thomas’ background and discovered that he had been arrested on similar charges in the past.

In July 2013, records show that while working at North Coast Auto in Bedford, Thomas was observed on video camera picking up his manager’s iPhone, then placing it in his front left pocket.

That phone was later traced to Thomas’ home.

The report states that his manager called him – asking him to return the phone – with no luck.

When days passed with no response, the manager pressed charges.

Records show Thomas was originally charged with theft but pleaded “no contest” to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct.

The following year, records show Thomas was again charged with theft.

This time, for stealing $802 from Sprint Wireless in Independence on April 23, 2014.

Thomas pleaded “no contest” to a reduced charge of “unauthorized use of property.”

A judge sentenced Thomas to 30 days in jail with a suspended sentence.

He was also ordered to complete a shoplifting course, pay back the money, perform 100 hours of community service – and was placed on probation.

In 2017, records show he violated probation and was sentenced to 10 days in jail.

I asked SCSO if they did a background check on Thomas before hiring him – they didn’t answer.

I also spoke to Thomas on the phone, but he chose not to comment.

He now faces a total of 12 felony charges: one count of theft in office, one count of attempted theft in office and 10 counts of tampering with records.

Thomas pleaded “not guilty” to all charges.

His second preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 5 in Summit County Court of Common Pleas.