Officers arrested a Portsmouth man after an incident at Speedway on Gallia.
An employee called just after 9 am to report that a man who is known for his frequent and aggressive panhandling in the area was at the store bumming money. The employee said the man had been previously barred from the property.
Officers took the man into custody and transported him to the Scioto County Jail. This was the mentally troubled man’s 27th arrest overall and his 5th arrest of 2022. Officers arrested him back on 3/21 for disorderly conduct and on 3/3 for a probation violation.
Less than a month ago, a representative of Speedway Corporate Security contacted PPD to complain about the number of people loitering near the store and harassing customers and employees.
An officer explained that PPD responds every time someone calls them with a complaint or any time they observe suspicious activity.
The Speedway representative said he planned to contact the City Manager’s Office to express his concern as many employees and customers have complained to Speedway about this issue.
