A thief called Portsmouth Police to report their victim for stealing their own stuff back. Plus, a kind-hearted officer went the extra mile to help a vulnerable woman in need. We’ve got the highs and lows from the Portsmouth Police Chief’s Briefing.
Mom in Danger?
Two people flagged down an officer at the BP on Gallia just after midnight. They said their mother had argued with a boyfriend and left their home with a knife threatening suicide. They thought she might have headed to a previous residence.
When officers checked out the previous residence, they discovered an open door and went inside to search for the woman. However, while they were inside, she texted her children and said she’d gone back home.
Who’s That Sleeping In My Doorway?
At 12:11 am, a caller from Alexandria House reported a man sleeping inside the doorway. Officers woke him up. They said he seemed confused and didn’t know how he got inside the building.
The caller came down and offered to give the man food if he left the property. She brought down the food and he left.
Under The Influence
- Officers answered a call to Alexandria House at 12:44 am for a report of men using drugs by the dumpster. Police discovered a familiar face digging through the trash. They advised him to leave the area.
- An employee of Circle City Pawn discovered drugs inside of a guitar case and asked police to pick it up. An officer impounded suspected meth for destruction.
- An employee at a Chillicothe Street bank reported a used syringe on the sidewalk at 2 pm. However, by the time police arrived, someone had already picked it up.
- Kroger security reported an intoxicated woman had been in the store for two hours and was currently in the makeup aisle. Officers served her with a no-trespassing order.
Towed Away
- Police issued a ticket to a vehicle parked the wrong way on 28th Street at 1:02 am.
- Another wrong-way vehicle received a ticket on Cypress Street at 1:13 am.
- Officers marked a vehicle with flat tires at the Royall Inn at 7:30 am. The drive has 72 hours to move it or be towed.
- Just before 9:30 police issued citations to three vehicles on Lincoln Street. Two had flat tires and there was grass growing around the others. Police arranged for all three to be towed.
- Police called a tow truck yet again at 11:19 am. This time on two vehicles on Grandview Avenue. The tags expired on one vehicle back in 2019.
- Officers impounded a vehicle with the exhaust hanging out on Charles Street at noon.
Suspicious Activity
- A Harding Avenue caller alerted police to a man riding a bike toward Highland Bend at 3:23 am. The caller said the man acted suspiciously and carried two tires on his arms. Police could not locate him.
- At 4:57 am, a Kinneys Lane caller reported a stroller on the sidewalk with no one around. The caller wanted officers to check for a child in the stroller. Police found the stroller empty and no suspicious activity in the area.
Hey! That’s My Stuff
- Just before 9 am, a North Hill Road caller reported two generators and stool stolen from the back of a truck. Police took information for a report.
- Police were called to the Woodbine Apartments for a report of a missing food stamp card. A woman said she gave it to her stepfather earlier in the day and he hadn’t returned it. Officers advised her to call Job and Family Services.
- Someone busted out a company truck window and stole several items near the Fishbowl just after 9 pm.
- At 9:58 pm, a Thomas Avenue caller said a woman stole her phone. The suspect denied taking the phone.
Breaking and Entering
A manager from Wayne Hills reported a break-in at a Wayne Avenue Apartment.
It’s Just A Mess
- Police took pictures of conditions at 7th Street home and noted junk car inside the fence at 10:16 am. They also spotted an additional junked vehicle at the house next door.
- At 10:27, police photographed a messy home on 6th Street to forward to the Health Department.
- Just a few minutes later, they cited four junky vehicles on 3rd Street.
- At 11:02 am, officers cited a junked car on Jackson Avenue.
Four Keys Inn Attempted Suicide
Officers answered an attempted suicide call at the Four Keys Inn at 11:14 am. Callers reported a man on the second floor attempted to jump and that people were trying to talk him down.
When officers arrived, he denied suicidal intentions and signed a refusal of medical treatment.
Hey, Give Back The Stuff I Stole
A clothing thief called the police to report that someone stole the stuff she stole.
At 2:30 pm, the caller told police she was walking with a bag of clothing near the Scioto Shoe Mart when someone stole her clothes. She said a woman in a tan SUV pulled up, accused her of taking the clothes, grabbed the bag, and then drove off.
Officers caught up with the woman in the tan SUV. It turned out the caller was the one who stole the clothes in the first place. The caller agreed to return other stolen items.
The victim agreed not to press charges as long as she got her stuff back.
Officer Helps Woman In Need
A Hudson House resident called police to report missing medication. She said someone entered her apartment and took it.
The officer helped her located the meds in a cabinet over the stove. Police fetched a glass of water and stood by while she took her meds. Officers then found a more visible spot where she could keep her pills and reminded her not to forget her evening dose.
The concerned officer followed up with the MRDD to get some help for the woman. They suggested the woman’s POA should arrange for her to be evaluated.
The officer went back to the apartment to talk with the woman then worked with a social worker from SOMC to get her the help she needs.
Can’t We All Just Get Along?
- Police responded to Alexandria House for reports of a domestic at 2:41 pm. It turned out to be verbal and the woman involved agreed to leave.
- At 3:07 pm, police responded to Thomas Avenue for a report of a neighbor making threats. A man claimed an unknown man yelled at him and threatened to shoot up the house.
- A Franklin Avenue woman contacted police at 3:30 pm to complain that her father was coming around her house and making threats. She said the two did not have a relationship. She also claimed her father spread rumors she was on drugs. Police suggested she criminally trespass him.
Butt-Dialing 911
Officers responded to a 911 call at Mound Park at 3:30 pm. It turned out a child accidentally dialed 911 on the phone in his pocket.
Police advised him to be careful.
Not Moving Until I Get My Discount
A disagreement over a sandwich discount led to a delay in the drive-thru line at McDonald’s A woman in truck refused to get out of the line because she didn’t receive her discount.
She called into the police station and the dispatcher was able to convince her to move along before it was necessary to send a police car.
