Portsmouth Police: Man Beheaded In Dope Beef?
Portsmouth, Ohio Police responded to a report about a man allegedly beheaded in a dope beef in the wee hours of the morning. They also dealt with folks setting up housekeeping and shop in dumpsters. We break down the highlights from the Portsmouth Police Chief’s Briefing in these nine slides.
Man Beheaded In Dope Beef?
Portsmouth Police received a shocking report from a worried aunt just before 4 am. She originally called officers to ask if her nephew had been found dead in Larry Hisle Park on Wayne Avenue. Officers responded to the park to check out the area but found no sign of a dead body.
The woman told police about some disturbing texts she’d received concerning her nephew. These frightening messages claimed the nephew was tied to a tree in Larry Hisle Park.
According to the texts, her nephew had crossed “dope boys” from Dayton or Detroit. The “dope boys” took the nephew into the woods and cut off his head in retaliation for stealing drugs. The woman said the nephew has a drug problem and that she last heard from him several days before Christmas. She claimed that’s unusual behavior since he normally contacts her frequently.
Officers checked out previous criminal reports involving the nephew and went to a Wayne Avenue apartment he frequents. The resident told officers she knows the nephew but hasn’t seen him recently. She told police she heard that the man was tied to a tree on the hilltop in Kendall Heights and left for dead. The woman said she last saw him on January 4, though she usually sees him every day.
Officers walked the woodline of the park but didn’t see any sign of a body or other problems in the area.
Hey, That’s My Stuff!
- Just after 5 am, a caller reported a man stole from her and took off on a bike. Police had difficulty understanding the woman and she did not know her address. They took information for a report.
- Frontier Cable called police at 7:17 am to report a stolen catalytic converter.
- A 6th Avenue caller reported a broken window and a wide-open door at a business just before 8 am. The business requested extra patrols.
- At 8:57 am, U-Haul on Walnut reported that someone rented a truck and returned it with the catalytic converter missing. Officers advised it was a civil matter.
- Officers answered a call about a stolen phone at Horizon House at 9:52 am. They detained the suspect. The phone was returned to the rightful owner. No charges were filed.
- Officers responded to a report of money missing from a debit card just before 3 pm. They took a report.
- A Pyle Street caller reported a stolen air compressor at 3:23 pm. Police took information for the report.
Slashed Tires
A Wayne Avenue caller reported slashed tires on her vehicle just before 7 am.
Dumpster Dwellers
- An 11th Street doctor’s office reported a man has been living in their dumpster for the past few days. Officers advised him it was time to move on.
- Another 11th Street office called police at 9:12 am to report 3 men were selling things out of a dumpster. Officers could not locate the subjects.
File This Under Rusty Gun
A Hutchins Street woman called police when she made an unusual find in a filing cabinet she got from work.
There was an old, rusted gun inside. Officers impounded the rusty gun parts.
Graffiti at the Masonic
Police responded to a report of graffiti sprayed on the Masonic Temple Building on Chillicothe. Officers said the vandalism did not appear to be gang-related.
They added extra patrols to the area.
Cries for Help
Police assisted CPS on a welfare check at 12:23 pm. A worried grandma said her daughter sent a text saying she wanted to harm herself and her kids.
Under The Influence
- A citizen flagged down an officer on 9th Street to report a man who wasn’t acting quite right. The officer spoke to the man, who was stomping his feet and talking loudly. However, police said the man appeared to be able to take care of himself.
- Officers responded to Kroger on Gay Street for a report of a woman passed out in a white car near the clothing bin. The subject left before police arrived.
- At 10:29 pm, officers responded to a report of a man acting strangely on Wayne Avenue. He flopped onto the ground and was talking to himself. An ambulance took him to the hospital for self-inflicted wounds.
- SOMC called officers to the Emergency Department to pick up some drugs found on a patient at 11;28 pm.
Man With A Hatchet
Just after 8 pm, a caller reported a man in toboggan walking in the middle of the road on Gallia while wildly swinging a hatchet.