Families dove for cover. Kids screamed. And a stolen Ford F-350 turned Tracy Park into an action movie set Wednesday evening, plowing straight through crowds and picnic blankets before leading cops on a heart-pounding chase across town that ended in a dramatic foot pursuit behind a local bowling alley.
Three suspects are now cooling their heels in the Scioto County Jail after the joyride-turned-jail-run, which started with a hot truck out of South Portsmouth and ended with gun barrels pointed at a random dude in an alley who just happened to be in the wrong place at the worst possible time.
EYEWITNESSES STUNNED
Families enjoying the sunshine at Tracy Park were left stunned as the full-sized Ford F-350 barreled straight through the park like a runaway freight train. Miraculously, no one was hurt — but 911 calls lit up dispatch like a Christmas tree.
“That truck came flying through the park,” said one witness. “There were kids everywhere. It was a miracle no one got hit.”
HIGH SPEED, HIGH DRAMA
Scanner traffic captured on the SCDN SCANNER and eyewitness reports fill in the adrenaline-fueled timeline. An officer first spotted the truck near Findlay and Gallia. When he slowed down to check the plates, the suspects hit the gas, taking cops on a tour of the city’s backstreets: Young Street, Vinton, Summit, and finally 17th, where the suspects bailed near Sunset Lanes.
From there, it was every man for himself across a massive field — with officers hot on their heels and at least one innocent bystander being detained at gunpoint in the chaos. (Don’t worry — he was cleared. But boy, what a story for the grandkids.)
THE SUSPECTS & THE RAP SHEETS
Meet the cast of this reckless roadshow:
👉 Juquan Donaldson, 23 – Alleged wheelman of the stolen truck. Charged with:
- Obstructing Official Business
- Tampering with Evidence
- Failure to Comply with Police
- Possession of Cocaine
- Improperly Handling a Firearm in a Vehicle
- Receiving Stolen Property
Donaldson is no stranger to cuffs — he’s been previously busted for illegally carrying a handgun (2020), an open warrant (2022), and a 2024 incident involving driving without a license and a child unrestrained in his vehicle.
👉 Christopher Hampton – Facing nearly identical charges (minus the coke):
- Obstructing Official Business
- Tampering with Evidence
- Failure to Comply with Police
- Improperly Handling a Firearm in a Vehicle
- Receiving Stolen Property
👉 Geniro McDowell – Rounded out the trio with charges including:
- Obstructing Official Business
- Tampering with Evidence
- Failure to Comply with Police
- Possession of Cocaine
- Improperly Handling a Firearm in a Vehicle
- Receiving Stolen Property
All three appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court this morning for arraignment. They’re due back June 5 for a preliminary hearing.
THE AFTERMATH
The truck was towed, no injuries were reported, and the city breathed a collective sigh of relief. But one thing’s for sure — Tracy Park won’t forget this wild ride anytime soon.
Stay tuned. This one’s got sequel potential.
