Police get easy clue in costume theft

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A fairly obvious clue led Columbus police to the suspected culprits in the theft of a college mascot's costume.

The Brutus the Buckeye costume for the Ohio State mascot had been reported stolen, along with the car it was sitting inside. When patrol officers spotted the stolen car behind a building near campus, they staked it out.

Two men approached the car early Thursday morning. One of them was wearing a striped, scarlet-and-gray shirt with "BRUTUS" in block letters on the front.

That's the mascot's shirt.

"These were not exactly brilliant thieves," said Sgt. Earl Smith, spokesman for the Division of Police.

Police arrested Bryan Johnson, 39, and Michael Kay, 30, both of Columbus, detective Steve Gingery said. Both men are charged with receiving stolen property, and Johnson is also charged with burglary.