Police found a woman dead in a Highland Avenue home and also discovered children living in a filthy home with an angry stepfather. Plus a dead man gets almost $10 grand in unemployment benefits. We break down the highlights from the Portsmouth Police Chief’s Briefing.
Fake Gun Causes Real Trouble
Police answered a call to Linden Avenue just after 1 am for a report of a man with a gun. A woman told officers she attempted to get her house key from an ex-boyfriend and his friend pulled a gun on her.
The woman refused to cooperate with the police investigation into the gun incident, she only wanted her house key back. It turned out the weapon was not real, just a plastic replica.
Once the woman had her keys back, she declined to pursue charges.
Doggie Death Threat
Just before 9 am, police responded to Sohners Lane for a domestic incident. A woman claimed her boyfriend attempted to kill her dog.
She told officers there were all kinds of weapons on the premises. Police were unable to locate him but took information for a report.
Unemployment for the Dead
A widow showed up at the police department to report identity theft involving her late husband.
Even though he died back in 2014, someone filed an unemployment claim back in August. The widow reported receiving mail pertaining to an unemployment claim at the time to Job and Family Services.
However, it appears they took no action since according to the tax form, she received, $9,525 in unemployment was paid out to someone using her husband’s name.
The woman reported the incident to ODJFS again and officers took information for a report.
Children Living In Filth
Officers answered a domestic complaint at the Streich Apartments at 11 am and found children living in a filthy home.
The initial call came from a kid reporting their stepfather was drinking and yelling at everyone.
Police said the stepdad is a habitual alcoholic who does not get along with the children. Further, officers said the house was a mess with dog feces everywhere and a strong odor of urine inside.
An officer attempted to offer advice to the parents but said the stepdad seemed to have no interest in acting like a responsible parent.
PPD contacted CPS to do a follow-up and also contacted the stepfather’s parole officer.
Chased By Man With A Gun
A woman called police just before noon to report a man pointed a gun at her when she went to her mother’s apartment on Robinson Avenue.
Officers were unable to locate him.
Meth And A Knife
Police responded to a report of a man in trouble from a local counseling center at 12:04 pm. They said he left the center, apparently high on meth and looking for a knife he left at the counseling center. They felt he was a danger to himself and others.
Officers have frequent contact with the man and said he was just being his normal self. It did not appear he wanted to harm himself or anyone else.
The counseling center gave him back his knife and he left.
Highland Avenue Woman Found Dead
A concerned friend alerted police to a problem on Highland Avenue at 12:11 pm. The caller was worried about a friend who hadn’t been feeling well that she’d been unable to contact for two days.
No one answered the door and mail was still in the box. The friend met officers at the home.
Sadly, their worst fears were confirmed when the 62-year-old woman was discovered dead in the home. Police notified the next of kin and spoke to the coroner.
The coroner released the body to the family at 1:10 pm. The funeral home picked up the deceased.
Cries For Help
- Police responded to a report of a woman threatening to hurt herself by cutting her throat at 6:38 pm. An ambulance took her to the hospital.
- Officers made a welfare check on Hutchins after a caller reported receiving a string of strange texts from someone he hadn’t talked to in years. Police were unable to contact the man at his residence but said nothing appeared out of place.
Hey, That’s My Stuff
A woman contacted police at 7 pm to report her phone was stolen and then sold in a phone ATM at Kroger. Police took information for a report.