Portsmouth Police Officers investigated a report of perverts looking for kids. But that wasn’t the only strange call they answered. Cops also dealt with a machete-wielding man threatening his Mom. Plus an unusual number of complaints about campers. Someone even called officers to report that two little girls weren’t listening. We break down all of the highlights from Tuesday and Wednesday. Get ready for 17 jaw-dropping slides.
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Threatening Mom With A Machete
Tuesday
Just after midnight, police were called to Vinton Avenue. A woman said her son, James Young, was inside the house destroying things. He also threatened to kill everyone. She told police he was armed with a machete. Officers couldn’t locate him.
Police were called from the same home forty-five minutes later. A caller was upset that the machete-wielding son was across the road at the neighbors. The caller had no particular complaint, they just wanted officers to “get him outta here.” Police explained that they couldn’t arrest someone for being at the neighbors.
Just after 1 am, police were informed that Young was back at the house. Young was arrested for aggravated menacing and taken to the Scioto County Jail. Bond was set at $5,000.
Please Leave
Tuesday
- Just before 2 am, a woman called police to say there was a strange guy at her house who wouldn’t leave. He was left there by a mutual friend. Police suggested he leave. He claimed he’d been robbed.
- At 3:15 pm officers received a report of people breaking things in a 17th Street apartment. They were unhappy because the main resident was kicking them out.
That’s My Stuff!
Tuesday
- At 2:40 am, police were called to 22nd Street. The caller said they caught a man in a black shirt and camo pants trying to steal from them. The suspect ran off through the yard towards 21st Street. He was gone when police arrived on the scene.
- Police were called to Hudson House just before 2 pm for a report of someone breaking the driver’s side window on a car. Nothing appeared to be missing. Fixing the window will cost $300. Police took a report.
- A man called PPD at 2 pm to report a stolen gun. UPS information said the Civil War era single-shot weapon had been delivered to the Mound Street Address. About half an hour later, police recovered the package from another home on Mound Street.
- At 7:35, police got a call from a Grant Street woman. She caught a guy breaking into her house and followed him to a Mound Street address. Police found out that Jack Estep has a warrant from Kentucky. He was arrested.
- Just after 10 pm, police responded to Kroger for a report of an aggressive panhandler. When officers arrived, the found the guy with money in hand. He was told to leave.
Wednesday
- A 19th Street resident called police at 8:17 am to report that their shed was broken into. A lawnmower was stolen.
- At 8:53 am, a Timmonds Avenue resident called to report a garage break-in.
- A man called police at 9 am to report his vehicle missing from 17th Street. There are no liens on the car and he has the keys.
- A woman called police at 9:30 am to report her wallet was taken from a parked car on Grandview Avenue. In the wallet was a Mastercard, Social Security Card, Direction Card, and other paperwork. She discovered that her card had already been used to make purchases. She changed her password and PIN.
- At 10:17 am, a Grandview Avenue resident reported that a man broke her gate and came into the yard. He also went into her garage. Police took a report.
- Officers were called to Court Street at 10:26 am for a report of a checkbook taken from a backpack. The victim is closing the account.
- Just before 6 pm, A Court Street man reported that his flowers were stolen. He thought he knew who had them. Officers were unable to locate them.
ODs and Drugs
Tuesday
- A report of an overdose brought officers to Coolidge Avenue just before 5 am. The subject refused treatment.
- Just after 11:30, EMS was called to the Royal Inn on Kendall. Two people were treated by the Portsmouth Fire Department. They refused further help.
- Police were called back to the Royal Inn just before 2 pm. A man who was scheduled to check out was so high that he couldn’t figure out how to leave. Police helped him get his stuff together. He refused medical treatment.
- A woman OD’d on 6th Street at 5:18 pm. She was alert when police arrived and refused treatment.
Wednesday
- Police were called to Franklin Avenue at 10:30 am for a report of drug dealing in the alley. Officers will keep an eye out for future activity.
- A woman overdosed on 7th Street just before 4 pm. She refused medical assistance.
Homeless on Wheels: Part 2
Tuesday
- We told you earlier in the week about a woman whose house had been condemned. She was now living in a camper on 6th Street. Police advised her that it would be towed id it wasn’t moved. It was not. The vehicle was impounded and towed away just after 11 am.
- At 11:50, officers were called to the BP on Gallia. An employee told them a white box truck had been sitting on the lot all week. It appeared to be abandoned. Now, people seemed to have moved it. The vehicle was towed.
Just Checking Up
Tuesday
- Police headed to a 17th Street apartment at the request of Shawnee Family Health. A man was upset because his medication was stopped due to improper use. He threatened to “blowing his f-ing head off.” When officers arrived, he claimed some of his medicine was stolen. However, he claimed he did not want to harm himself.
- A woman called police at 7:41 pm and ask that they check on her husband. He messaged her and told her that he took 30 muscle relaxers. When police arrived, he admitted he’d made the story up “just to piss her off.” He was fine.
Trapped By A Pit Bull
Tuesday
At 2 pm, police were called to Kendall Avenue. The caller said a brown pit bull had people trapped inside an apartment.
Animal Control was not available to assist. Officers report the dog was not being aggressive when they arrived.
That’s Not My Bill
Tuesday
At 3 pm, a woman called police to report that someone had run up a nearly $700 electric bill in her name.
She thinks she knows who did it. Officers took a report.
Men in Trouble
Wednesday
- At 12:45 am, a woman called police and told them to check on her kids. She said her husband was behaving badly. She said he was at an Argonne Road address having sex with a woman and smoking pot with their kids present. Police checked it out. They said the complaints were unfounded.
- A woman was not happy with the guy in her life. He called police around 12:39 pm to report that she took a cinderblock to his car on Court Street. Apparently his vehicle was parked outside another woman’s house. Officers took a report.
Camper Controversy
Wednesday
Just before 6 am, police were called to 7th Street about a camper. A man said his mom has power of attorney and that she moved his camper. Police say they’ve been to the home numerous times over arguments with the neighbors over the camper.
The man said he was going to head to court to revoke his mom’s power of attorney over the incident.
About an hour later, police spoke to the camper’s owner who produced the registration. Turns out the camper was moved because police told the mom that he couldn’t live out of it. The guy who complained doesn’t even own the camper. No crime occurred.
Pervs on Wheels
Wednesday
- PPD received a disturbing call at 11:16 am. A 6th Street Woman said two men made a strange request. They wanted her to help them find some prostitutes or some kids.
- She said they were driving a blue Chrysler with Kentucky plates.
- Officers managed to figure out who the car was registered to but didn’t think they had enough to stop the vehicle.
- Just after noon, the original caller told police the vehicle was parked on 7th Street and that it was a Dodge Avenger.
Covered in Blood
Wednesday
At 12:30, police were called to 14th Street for a report of man coming out of an apartment covered in blood.
The caller said a woman and a 9-month-old baby live in the apartment. When police arrived they spoke with the mom and took a domestic violence report.
Officers, I’ve Been Murdered
Wednesday
Police got an unusual call from a Robinson Avenue Man. He told them he’d been murdered. Or maybe robbed.
He claimed he woke up in a body bag on his porch. Once he went to the hospital, he discovered his money was missing. He accused someone of taking $670.
He shifted the story slightly, saying that he overdosed after accepting drugs from a friend. When he woke up in the hospital, his money was gone.
Back To Pat’s
Wednesday
At 4:30 pm, police received a report that Pat’s Café was packed and serving.
When police arrived, they found out the complaint was unfounded. The bar was closed. Ther were just a few people inside painting and doing repairs.
Mop Attack
Wednesday
Officers were called to Adams Street just after 7 pm. A woman originally said that a man struck her with a mop.
When police arrived, the story changed slightly. While the argument was over a mop, no one was hit with the mop. The man left for the evening.
Dog In Danger
Wednesday
Animal Control responded to Ruhlman Avenue for a report of a dog in danger.
The pup had no shelter, food, or clean water. There was no answer at the home.
According to the police report, the poor puppy’s bowl was full of brown rainwater. Additionally, every bone in his body could be felt through his fur.
Get Inside
Wednesday
- A Thomas Avenue parent called police just before 9 pm. Two girls, aged 7 and 8, had refused to come into the house.
- Officers assisted in getting the kids inside.
- They advised the parent that 9-1-1 was for emergencies not for getting your kids to listen.