Homeowner Threatens to Kill Suspicious Trespasser
Just after 1:30 am, A Sterling Avenue resident contacted officers to report a suspicious person in the woods near his home.
The caller made vague threats to kill the person unless the Police got someone to the scene quickly. When officers arrived on the scene a few minutes later the man said he saw a man wearing a black hoodie up run up into the woods and head north on the next street over.
Police could not locate the man.
Squatter Sets Up House in Garage
Portsmouth Police and Code Enforcement teamed up to handle issues with someone living in the garage of a vacant house on Gallia Street.
A caller contacted Police to report that the woman who’d been living in the garage was there with some company.
Officers responded to the house and found it empty with an open door. From checking the Auditor’s website, the police learned the owner was deceased. They contacted Code Enforcement to report that the home was dangerous and unlivable.
They discovered a woman in the garage and removed her from the property. Code Enforcement arrived on the scene and condemned the property.
Repeat Shoplifter Returns to the Super Quik
Offices arrested a man with a lengthy criminal record after he returned to a store he’d previously been barred from for stealing.
Just before 5 pm, the Super Quik on the Scioto Trail reported that Robert Thomas had once again taken items from the store and was headed towards the Kent Street Apartments. The store had barred Thomas after numerous incidents of reported shoplifting.
Officers caught up with him on Kent Street and discovered he had five open warrants. Police took him into custody and returned the stolen items to the store.
They booked Thomas, 42, on three charges of criminal trespass and two counts of theft. This was his 21st time in the Scioto County Jail.
Previous arrests include probation violation, trafficking in cocaine, drug possession, violating a protection order, and domestic violence.
Woman Jumps Into Traffic on St. Rte 239
Multiple callers contacted the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office to report a woman in shorts jumping into the middle of the road on St. Rte 239 just after 2 pm.
Witnesses said she appeared to be either on drugs or having some type of mental health issues. Officers caught up with her near Brouses Run and US 52.
A deputy gave her a ride into Portsmouth and dropped her at the Holiday Inn. She said she would contact a friend who lived in town.
Gun Assault Reported on Charles Street
A Charles Street caller reported a violent assault involving bricks and a gun just after 11 am. A neighbor said a group of people were fighting and throwing bricks at each other, and then another caller reported that they hit him in the head with a gun.
An ambulance responded to the scene, but the person did not require a hospital visit. Officers searched the area and took statements from witnesses.