James Barger, right, posed with bags of suspected marijuana and a weapon in photos police say they found at Barger's camp on Peter's Fork on Lower Second Creek. He was picked up on Dec. 20 by authorities in Ohio. (photo courtesy of Hazard Police Department)

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Perry County man who police said had been evading arrest for several months was picked up last week by authorities in Ohio.

Lt. Paul Campbell with the Hazard Police Department noted that 25-year-old James Barger of Gays Creek was arrested Thursday, Dec. 20 in Columbus, Ohio. Officials with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Barger remains in custody this week.

Details of Barger’s arrest haven’t been released, but a sheriff’s office official noted that he was initially held on charges of receiving stolen property, petty theft, and obstruction of official business, though he is currently being lodged in Ohio on a hold from the state of Kentucky.

Police in Hazard released Barger’s photo in November in an attempt to glean help from the public in determining his whereabouts. Barger is, according to police, responsible for several thefts across the Hazard area, and also had numerous felony and misdemeanor warrants out for his arrest. Police described him as being armed and dangerous.

In recent weeks, Barger was implicated in thefts of purses from shoppers inside area businesses. Police Chief Minor Allen told the Herald last month that several purses, along with evidence of drug trafficking, had been recovered at a camping site on Lower Second Creek Barger was thought to have been using.

Lt. Campbell said authorities in Hazard are currently working on Barger’s extradition back to Perry County.