Portsmouth Police were busy with a high-speed chase, an elderly homeless man who refused help, and a crime that sounded a lot like a sad country song on Friday. Plus, what happens when you try to call the police and no one answers the phone? We hit the highlights in these next 18 slides. Want the full, unfiltered reports? Consider becoming an SCDN VIP. Click here to learn how it works.
OVI Crash
Just before 1 am on Friday, police said a man driving under the influence hit two parked cars in the 5800 block of Gallia.
Christopher Preston was arrested for OVI.
Meanwhile At Speedway
At 1:30 am, officers responded to the Speedway on Gallia for a theft report. They took custody of surveillance video and information for a theft report.
Try Using the Door Next Time
A man called police to his 9th Street home just after 1:30 am to report that his female “special friend” climbed through his window. He wanted her to leave.
However, when police arrived, no one answered the door.
High Speed Chase
Portsmouth Police joined in with NBPD officers in pursuit of a vehicle just after 2 am. The orange Durango hit speeds of 70 MPH before it began to smoke after exiting towards 239.
The vehicle finally lost a left rear tire and officers took the driver into custody.
Under the Influence
- Officers responded to Farley Court at 4:25 am for a report of an overdose.
- An hour later, police were called to Wayne Avenue for a report that a woman gook Suboxone and Fentanyl and had overdosed. She refused assistance.
- A caller reported a woman acting as if she were on drugs on Eastern Avenue just before 7 pm. Police took her into custody and she appeared to pass out. She was booked into the jail.
- Another report of an overdose came in just after 8:30 pm. The ambulance crew had already loaded the woman into their vehicle by the time police arrived. The victim’s mother asked to speak to police but officers had trouble deciphering her story.
- Officers were called to 17th Street for a report of a man on drugs at 9 pm. He had a probation violation. Police took a report.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
A woman called just after 7 am and told police that someone stole her wallet while she helped a neighbor with her TV.
The neighbor came downstairs at their Front Street apartments to ask for assistance with a TV. She went upstairs to help but left her apartment unlocked.
While she was away, an unknown suspect stole her wallet. In the wallet were a driver’s license, debit card, EBT card, SS Card, and $103 in cash.
Take a Buggy Or Else
An unusual call at the Goodwill just after 9:30 am. The store reported an elderly male shopper for refusing to take a buggy.
A buggy is required to shop in the store and he refused to either take one or leave. Once police arrived, they discovered that the man had a little trouble hearing and may not have understood the request.
An officer was able to explain to the man that he needed to use a shopping cart for social distancing or leave.
Worried Neighbor
A worried neighbor called PPD just before 10 am. She hadn’t seen a 7th Street resident and was worried about her safety.
Officers took the name of the missing resident and contacted SOMC. They discovered the woman had been admitted to the hospital.
Not Too Neighborly
Police responded to Spring Street for a report of neighbors arguing just after 1 pm. One neighbor threw grass clipping on the other’s parked vehicle.
The feuding neighbors were advised it was a civil matter.
No Permit. No Flags
A caller complained about someone setting up a booth selling flags and banners at 24th Street and the Scioto Trail. The caller advised that the person didn’t have a permit.
Turns out the caller was correct about the permit. Officers told the seller to pack up.
Time to Go
Police asked an elderly homeless man to leave the Esplanade just after 2 pm. The man is 79 years old and has been living on the Esplanade.
Adult protective services had already attempted to help the man but he’s refused all help and doesn’t want to speak with anyone about assistance.
Cry For Help
Officers were sent to 17th Street to check on a woman threatening to harm herself at 4:33 pm. The woman said she didn’t’ want to harm herself. She was just angry at her doctor for canceling her appointment. She refused medical help.
While You were In Jail
A man got out of jail to an unhappy surprise that sounds a lot like a country song.
He called police just after 5 pm to report that when he got home from jail he discovered his truck had been wrecked and his girlfriend had stolen $600.
Pool Pranks
A Summit Street woman called PPD just after 7 pm to report that someone keeps throwing items in her pool.
She said there was damage from the shenanigans and asked officers to patrol the area to keep an eye out.
Asleep at the Wheel
A Speedway employee notified police at 8 pm of a man and woman passed out in a vehicle that was still rolling along on Gallia Steet.
Police caught up with them at the Taco Bell. The man had a warrant. The vehicle was towed and impounded. The man was taken into custody.
Hey! That’s My Stuff
A man kicked in the door to a 6th Street building and stole a saw just after 8:30 pm. Police took a report.
No Answer In Kentucky
- Officers were called to Washington Street at 9:44 pm for a report of a woman screaming for help out of the window of a Chey S10. The caller said two men in the truck choked the woman.
- The truck was speeding and went across the bridge to Kentucky. PPD tried to transfer the caller to the police in Greenup but nobody answered the phone.
Not Corona, Just Emotional
Police were concerned that a woman who called 911 for help after her tire blew out might have Coronavirus.
The officer reported that the woman was sweating profusely, so the officer kept their distance while they waited for the tow truck.
The woman said she’d already been tested for COVID and didn’t have the virus. She was sweating because of the heat. When she turned on the air, she cooled right off.
The tow truck changed her tire and all was well.