It was a busy day for lawbreakers and even busier for Portsmouth PD as a string of bizarre theft attempts unfolded across the city — from ice plant prowlers hiding in the bushes to wire bandits slicing through utility poles and ghostly break-ins at an abandoned restaurant.
❄️ 3 A.M. ICE-COLD CROOKS?
In the early-morning hours, a sharp-eyed truck driver spotted a sketchy scene outside Home City Ice on Gallia Street. Just before 3 a.m., he called 911 to report two suspicious individuals attempting to break into the business.
The would-be burglars were so spooked by a passing cruiser, they dove headfirst into the weeds like cartoon criminals — only to pop back up once the coast was clear and head straight toward the store again. The witness said the duo looked like they were “on something.” By the time police arrived, they’d vanished into the night.
🔌 WIRE WRECKERS HIT 2ND STREET
By late morning, the crooks were back at it — this time turning their attention to utility boxes on 2nd Street. Officers responded just before noon to discover someone had cut the wires on several metal boxes mounted to poles, likely trying to steal the boxes or the copper inside.
The damage wasn’t just cosmetic — cable lines were severed, and Spectrum workers were called in to assess the wreckage later in the day. Let’s hope the thieves didn’t think they were stealing a treasure chest and end up with a bunch of sparks instead.
🍽️ SOUTHERN GRILL: NOW SERVING BREAK-INS
At 12:45 p.m., police rushed to the former Southern Grill restaurant, which closed its doors months ago. A report came in that someone was seen inside the shuttered eatery.
Though officers didn’t find anyone on site, they said the place showed signs of recent trespassing, with someone clearly using the building as their own personal hideout. Officers re-secured the doors — but the question remains: will the mystery diner be back for seconds?
🕵️♂️ A CITYWIDE WAKE-UP CALL
From late-night lurkers to midday wire cutters, these incidents are part of a growing pattern of petty crimes that can cause big problems for local businesses and residents alike.
If you see something strange, don’t wait — call it in. Lock your doors, keep your cameras rolling, and stay alert. Portsmouth’s crooks are getting bolder — but so are its citizens.
