Husband cleared in cancer scam

Friday, November 06, 2009, 3:49:29 PM

By ANDREW TOBIAS

Staff Writer

Delaware County prosecutors have agreed to drop charges against a Columbus man accused of taking part in scamming family and friends out of nearly $800,000.

According to a court filing, Phylip B. Chen, 38, of Columbus, passed a state-administered lie detector test. Assistant prosecutor Bill Owen had previously said he would drop charges if Chen passed the test.

Defense attorney Keith A. Boger said there was no evidence against his client, and the dismissal of the charges was the only “just resolution” to the case.

Chen’s wife, Melanie A. Chen, is currently serving eight years in prison for soliciting $792,000 to pay for Mr. Chen’s non-existent cancer bills from 13 different people.

In September, Mrs. Chen pleaded to one count of theft. Mr. Chen had denied wrongdoing in the hoax.

See tomorrow’s Gazette for more information.

atobias@delgazette.com

Second suspect arrested in Black Wing burglary

Friday, November 06, 2009, 1:20:00 PM

By ANDREW TOBIAS

Staff Writer

Authorities arrested a second suspect today who is charged in connection to the Aug. 17 burglary at the Black Wing Shooting Center.

Deputies with the Delaware County Sheriff's office arrested 35-year-old William J. Palmer of Columbus just before 11 a.m. today at his place of employment, an auto shop in Whitehall, Sheriff Walter L. Davis III said in a news release.

The arrest came on the heels of an indictment handed down in Delaware County Common Pleas Court on Friday morning that charges Palmer with grand theft, receiving stolen property, breaking and entering, disrupting public services and theft.

“Months of dedicated detective work led us to develop this suspect and make an arrest," Davis said.

Palmer is the second person arrested in connection with the burglary, during which thieves stole a reported $30,000 worth of guns, knives and ammunition.

Some of the weapons are still unrecovered, and the sheriff's office is investigating whether or not there are additional suspects, Davis said.

Court proceedings continue against David J. Wise, of Columbus, whom authorities arrested on Aug. 23. Wise, who faces nearly identical charges, is jailed on a $15,000 bond and has a Nov. 17 court date.

Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office at (740) 833-2800 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS. An award of up to $2000.00 is available for information leading to an arrest or indictment in the case.

atobias@delgazette.com