What started as a routine attempt to serve a felony warrant in Portsmouth turned into a tense standoff that forced police to shut down traffic and call in the SWAT team.
Portsmouth Police officers were attempting to apprehend suspects when they heard voices coming from inside a garage—but the individuals refused to come out and barricaded themselves inside.
As the situation escalated, officers halted traffic in the area and requested SWAT support. After a tense wait, a man and woman finally surrendered voluntarily.
Once in custody, officers learned the woman had outstanding warrants in both Noble and Washington Counties. The pair were identified as Devin Cloverdale and Eric Lehn, who were taken to the police station for fingerprinting and later booked into the Scioto County Jail.
A Word to the Wise: Just Turn Yourself In
Incidents like this are a reminder that barricading yourself only makes things worse. What could have been a straightforward arrest turned into a major public safety operation involving:
- Road closures
- SWAT activation
- Heightened risk for everyone involved
Refusing to surrender doesn’t erase the charges—it just adds more problems, potential charges, and danger to an already bad situation.
If you know there’s a warrant out for you, turn yourself in. It gives you a chance to:
- Avoid escalation
- Work with an attorney
- Demonstrate cooperation to the court
And most importantly, it keeps you and others safe.
Crisis averted this time—but not without cost. Let this be a cautionary tale: the garage isn’t going to save you. The smart move is to come out peacefully.
