SANDUSKY — A local restaurant owner was arrested Friday outside his home on a bench warrant—an arrest that quickly escalated into a new criminal investigation and coincides with a civil lawsuit filed against him in Erie County court.
Benjamin Vito Pruitt, Sr., 59, was taken into custody outside his residence at 1535 Pearl St. around 4:15 p.m. The warrant was issued after Pruitt failed to appear for scheduled debtor’s examinations in March and April.
Pruitt is currently being held at the Erie County Jail in lieu of a $4,689.29 bond.
Pills lead to drug investigation
An officer spotted Pruitt in his driveway and confirmed the validity of Sandusky Police Department Warrant, according to a police report. During a routine search incident to the arrest, officers located a soft gel case in Pruitt’s pants pocket containing two round yellow pills inscribed “C230.” Pruitt claimed the pills were prescribed Oxycodone. However, when his girlfriend retrieved a medication bottle from inside the residence, officers noted the prescription label had been torn off. Inside the bottle, police discovered a knotted bag holding approximately 40 to 50 unidentified pills.
Using an online pill identification database, officers preliminarily identified the seized pills as Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride, a Schedule II controlled substance, according to the report. Police have requested an Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) report and sent the seized substances to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) for laboratory testing.
Pending the results, Pruitt faces a potential fifth-degree felony charge of drug possession under Ohio Revised Code § 2925.11(C)(1).
A $35,000 investment, and a lawsuit
The civil contempt warrant leading to Pruitt’s arrest highlights a broader pattern of growing financial litigation against him and his business enterprises.
Court filings show that Pruitt—who serves as owner and statutory agent for B&Z Enterprise (doing business locally as Zuppaman at 1186 Cleveland Road West)—is the named defendant in a civil lawsuit in Erie County. The complaint, filed by local resident Michael D. Zahel Sr. through attorney Gina M. McNea, alleges that Pruitt defaulted on two separate business investment agreements:
December 17, 2024 Contract: Zahel invested $25,000.00 into Pruitt’s business, with terms requiring full repayment within 18 months at 10% interest per annum by June 17, 2026.
December 30, 2024 Contract: Zahel provided an additional $10,000.00 investment under identical 18-month terms at 10% interest, due by June 30, 2026.
The lawsuit asserts that Pruitt failed to pay any principal or accrued interest on either contract by the June 2026 deadlines. Furthermore, the filing seeks to enforce a 2% late penalty clause, court costs, and attorney fees across counts of Breach of Contract, Quantum Meruit, and Unjust Enrichment.
Ongoing investigation
Officer Ernesto Hernandez assisted at the scene of Friday’s arrest. Sandusky Police emphasized that the investigation into the seized substances remains active and ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: All suspects and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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