Portsmouth Police kept busy Wednesday and Thursday dealing with a wide range of wild reports. From a woman who wanted to know if it was okay to slash her husband’s tires to someone using a wheelchair as a blunt instrument to a custody case complicated by COVID-19. We break down the highlights from the 95 call officers handled. As always, we thank Interim Chief Brewer for providing the logs.
Stealing From Mom
Around 9:30 on Wednesday, a mom called to report that her son had been a very bad boy. He stole two TVs from mom, as well as her medication. Then he helped himself to his aunt’s work phone. Officers took a report.
Is That a Pistol in Your Pants?
Just before 11:30m a woman waiting in the drive-thru as McDonald’s on Gallia Street reported that a fellow customer bent over and she saw a gun in the back of his pants. When officers arrived, they checked the man. Turns out he didn’t have a weapon.
Hard To Hear
Police were called to a home of 5th Street at 1:45 pm for a report of a man screaming at a woman in the back of the home. When officers arrived, they found out there was no disturbance. He’s just hard of hearing.
Dad’s In The Doghouse
Police were called to Kinney’s Lane for a report of an unattended child found in the road. The caller said the door to the child’s home was open, but there was no answer.
When police arrived, they found that Dad had hopped in the shower and allowed older kids to watch their younger sibling. There was no sign of neglect or abuse in the house, but Dad probably got an earful from Mom. Police say she was visibly upset.
Catch and Release
Police stopped two men after a shoplifting call at the Kroger on Gay street. One was advised that he has outstanding warrants. The other was arrested for theft and criminal trespass. Police issued a summons to appear in court. Both were released.
Just before 2 pm on Thursday, CVS on the Scioto Trail called to report a shoplifter had taken a $59 Sonic toothbrush. Since the shoplifter had left the premises, the officer did not respond due to an order from the Chief. They told pharmacy employees to try to grab a still from the security footage to forward to PPD.
Power Chair Power Struggle
Officers were called to a senior rehabilitation facility on Royce Street at 10:30 am on Thursday. It seems a resident was threatening to run over another two employees because they told him he shouldn’t be using a power chair.
Residents have to first be evaluated and approved before getting their wheels. The man refused to get out of the chair and was reportedly threatening to mow down staff members.
The man was also reportedly drunk at the time. While the bosses at the facility told employees to call the cops, officers advised them it’s something they need to handle internally.
COVID-19 Custody Concerns
Just after noon, officers answered a custody call. A father was concerned about allowing his kids to visit their mother because of COVID-19.
The children’s aunt lives with them and works in healthcare. He was worried kids could be exposed to the virus.
Officers advised him he needed to stick with the custody agreement and to call his lawyer if he wanted it changed.
Just Who’s The Kid Here?
Just after 10 pm, officers were called to Ritchie Street address. A caller reported that the parent had brought their child to her house to beat up her 12-year-old daughter.
The father of the other girl drove his daughter to the house. The child knocked on the door, pulled the hair of the girl who lived there and tried to fight her. The girl was not injured. Officers advised the mom not to speak with the father and daughter involved in the incident.
Is It Okay If I Slash His Tires?
Just before 10:30 pm, a woman called police to report that her husband had taken her phone. Officers explained it was a civil issue but she didn’t take it well.
According to the report, the caller was “Irrational, rude, and interrupted several times.”
When police told her that since she’s married, the phone is considered joint property, the woman said she’d slash the tires on her husband’s car, “because that’s joint property, right?”
The officer attempted to explain the difference between a dispute over ownership and property destruction and suggested that filing for divorce might be the best option as divorce courts address property division.”
The woman replied, “The stupid courts aren’t open because of stupid Coronavirus.”
A Serious turn
A more serious report came in just after 11:30 pm. A Charles Street resident reported being assaulted by a group of people with a gun and a knife.
Then just after midnight on Friday, a man reported being hit by a car on Harding Avenue. He was taken to the hospital.