A sex predator targeted a homeless child and shots were reported overnight on 7th Street. We break down the Portsmouth Police Chief’s Daily Briefing
Keep It Down Kids
A Wayne Avenue caller reported kids screaming near their apartment. An officer checked the area and found the noise was just children outside riding on sleighs.
He did speak to someone who admitted their toddler tends to scream non-stop but other than the screaming, the child seemed fine. While the officer realized a loud toddler is annoying, it’s not a police matter.
Creeper Frightens Elderly Woman
At 9:30 pm a 4th Street resident contacted police to report someone was looking into her side window. The elderly woman saw their face but really didn’t have much of a description.
Police didn’t observe anything unusual in the area.
Under the Influence
Police were called to the Saint Charles Place Apartments when drugs were discovered on the premises. Officers disposed of the needles in a sharps container.
At 10:40 pm, a Ritchie Street witness reported a suspicious man sitting in a gold van. A woman was with him, but she stumped off. The van was gone by the time police arrived.
Big Bar Fight
The bartender at Richard Noggins called the police at 1 am to report a large fight at the bar.
The action was over by the time police arrived.
Shots Reported on 7th Street
Just after 1 am, a 7th Street caller reported hearing a gunshot and a woman screaming for help. Officers patrolled the area and spoke to multiple people who said they hadn’t heard anything.
At 3:30 am, officers responded to another report of someone shooting a gun into a yard on Waller Street. When they arrived on the scene a man told police he went out to get his trashcan and another man started a fight with him. Police say there was no evidence a gun was fired and that dispute is ongoing between neighbors.
Suspicious Activity
Just before 9 am, a caller reported a silver Saturn parked in the Big Lots parking lot with the window bashed out and the steering column torn up. Police arranged to have the vehicle towed.
Grand Theft Auto
At 10 am, a caller reported a woman stole her keys and taken her vehicle while she was sleeping. She suspected the thief may be in Piketon.
Police filed a report and contacted Pike County law enforcement to look for the vehicle.
Felonious Assault
Just after 10 am, a woman called police to the Scioto Trail to report her roommates were fighting and one of them was bleeding.
An ambulance was dispatched to the scene to treat a victim for bleeding and a possible broken collar bone. Since the victim was unable to write a statement, police took one via video and filed a report.
Homeless Child Targeted By Online Sex Predator
Just before 11 am, police responded to a local homeless shelter after a mom discovered her 13-year-old daughter had exchanged nude photos online with an adult man.
However, police discovered the mom had an open warrant from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Officers contacted Children Services and took information for a report.
