A shoplifter forgot to check the parking lot for police cars before stealing from the CVS, and a homeless camper started a fire at an abandoned apartment building. We break down the Portsmouth Police Chief’s Daily Briefing.
Suspicious Activity
Just after 7 am, a manager at Kroger told police a homeless man was sitting on a bench in the vestibule saying inappropriate things to customers. An officer spoke to the man. He agreed to leave but denied doing anything wrong.
False Alarms
Once again, false alarms kept Dispatch busy. Just after midnight, a medical alarm sounded at Horizon House. It turned out to be an accidental alarm.
At 3:16 am, a residential alarm sounded at a Hutchins Street home. It turned out the homeowner forgot to lock the door, and the wind blew it open, setting off the alarm.
An alarm sounded at the Plumbers & Pipefitters Lodge at 6:40 am. It turned out to be a false alarm.
Criminal Damaging
Officers responded to Hudson House Apartments just before 8 am to report a vehicle with busted-out windows. Police spoke to the owner and took information for a report.
A Highland Avenue property owner reported that someone kicked in his door. Officer took information for a report.
Caught in the Act at CVS
A shoplifter picked a poor time to steal from the CVS on the Scioto Trail. While an officer was at the store getting video from a previous incident, the manager said there was a shoplifter in the store.
When employees confronted the shoplifter, he became belligerent. The officer told him to move along or he would arrest him for shoplifting.
Campfire in the Carport
At 10:23 am, officers responded to a report of homeless people camping underneath the carport of the condemned Bellomy Apartments on the Scioto Trail.
The homeless campers started a fire to keep warm. Officers assisted the fire department in putting out the flames.
One of the campers told officers the property belonged to his family. However, the property belonged to a bank. Officers advised him to leave and not to burn things in the city limits.
Under the Influence
Just after 11 am, officers responded to Gallia Street for a report of a woman overdosing. She refused medical treatment, however, officers discovered the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office had an open warrant for the woman. They arrested her for the fourth time in the past year.
