It was a busy night for Portsmouth Police as three wanted suspects were taken off the streets — though only one had the sense to make things easier on himself.
👮 Alleyway Arrest:
Just after 6 p.m., officers tracked down Angela Puckett hiding in an alley between Mound and High. Puckett had skipped court earlier this month on a charge of driving under suspension, landing herself with an open warrant. This time, there was no escape — she was booked into the Scioto County Jail where she’ll stay until her next hearing on August 28.
📞 The Smart Move:
Meanwhile, Joshua Riffe proved there’s a better way to handle a warrant. Instead of waiting to get cornered, Riffe called police and turned himself in. He was wanted on a charge of endangering children. Because he faced it head-on, he saw a judge first thing the next morning and walked out on his own recognizance, with a court date set for September 16.
🚪 Door Slam Drama:
Around 8:30 p.m. on 17th Street, officers were called after neighbors reported gunshots and claimed they saw a man dragging an elderly woman inside a home. When police knocked, the suspect cracked the door — then slammed it shut. Eventually, they got in and discovered Marvin Barrett, wanted for probation violation and fugitive from justice. Barrett didn’t get a choice: he went straight to the county lockup.
💡 The Takeaway
- If you’ve got a warrant, don’t run, don’t hide, and don’t slam the door in an officer’s face. It only makes things worse.
- Like Riffe showed, turning yourself in is usually the fastest way to get it over with — and it might even help you in front of the judge.
