Press Releases For The Week

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$10,000 REWARD OFFERED IN ARNOLD HOMICIDE

The Sheriff’s Office has developed “persons of interest” in this investigation. Facts and evidence obtained and established during this investigation indicate one or more persons have knowledge concerning this homicide and we ask that they come forward. Up to $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the murder of Patrick Arnold. This murder occurred on or about July 24, 2008, at Arnold’s home at 2410 Bells Run Road, Newport.

Arnold was a member of Millwright Local Union 1755 and this union, in conjunction with the family of Patrick Arnold, is offering this reward. To be eligible for the reward the person(s) must cooperate fully with law enforcement during the investigation, including possible testimony during a trial. The final decision in granting this reward will be approved by the family based upon the quality of the information.

The Sheriff’s Office has established a special direct tip line for information. If you have information concerning this case please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 740-373-1023.

DEPUTIES SEEK ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT

At approximately 10 pm last night a clerk at Par Mar #14, 66 Arrowhead Road, Little Hocking, reported a male suspect just fled the store after attempting to rob the business with a pocket knife. The clerk stated the suspect attempted to purchase beer and cigarettes and became flustered when he was asked to furnish identification, which he apparently did not possess. The suspect then produced a pocket knife, which was not unfolded to reveal the blade, and demanded money from the cash register. Told by the clerk that she activated a silent alarm, the suspect fled through a side door, entered the passenger side of a gold Chevy Cavalier and sped away on State Route 7 toward Coolville. The suspect is approximately 5’ 5”, 180 pounds, had thick, dark eyebrows and was wearing a light colored knit cap, a black Puma shirt, baggy jeans and a brown hooded zip up jacket. The suspect had a tear drop tattoo at the corner of his right eye and had “LOVE” tattooed across the fingers of his right hand.

The Sheriff’s Office requests any citizens with knowledge of the suspect or information as to his identity to contact the Sheriff’s Office by dialing 911 or by phoning (740) 376-7070.

NEWS RELEASES FOR THURSDAY 19 NOV 09

On 18 Nov 09 Joseph E. Lewis, age 46, 210 Kingfisher Road, Frazeyburg, OH, was backing a tractor-trailer into the parking lot of Dollar General at 10274 State Route 550 in Barlow when the trailer struck a utility pole and small storage building. The impact caused the power lines to drape lower over State Route 550. The Ohio State Highway Patrol then responded to the scene and completed a crash report after a passing school bus caught the low hanging wires and tore a utility box from a nearby residence. No injuries were reported as the result of either incident (707).

On 18 Nov 09 Deputy Sheriff Reeder assisted an officer from the Saint Marys, WV Police Department in recovering a stolen Chevy S-10 that was located near the intersection of Park Avenue and Cline Street in New Matamoras. Deputy Reeder released the vehicle and it was towed to Saint Marys for processing by their department.

On 18 Nov 09 the property manager of Catfisherman’s Paradise, 12769 Veto Road, Belpre, reported at some point during the past two weeks an unknown suspect(s) forced open two doors to the business and attached residence. The only item the manager of the property believes is missing is a fourteen foot aluminum john boat. This case remains under investigation (707).

The following suspects were processed into the Washington County Jail between Wednesday 18 Nov 09 and Thursday 19 Nov 09:

Lyle Randolph Hasley, age 55, 3115 State Route 26, Marietta, for domestic violence, a misdemeanor. Hasley was arrested at his residence by Deputy Sheriff Reeder and processed into the Washington County Jail on 18 Nov 09 at 5:20 pm.

James Louis Antill Jr., age 26, 309 Maple Street, Marietta, for a felony charge of OVI and for misdemeanor charges of failure to reinstate his operator’s license and making an improper turn. Antill was arrested on Putnam Street in Marietta by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and processed into the Washington County Jail on 19 Nov 09 at 3:19 am.

There are currently 101 men and twenty women being housed in the Washington County Jail.

NEWS RELEASES FOR WEDNESDAY 18 NOV 09

On 16 Nov 09 Alexander Goodman, age 18, 100 Holly Street, Marietta, reported at lunch when he checked on his Chevy S-10 in the parking lot of the Career Center he noticed a puddle of oil underneath the vehicle. Further checking revealed the oil plug, which was tightened when maintenance was performed on the vehicle, was loose and could be turned by hand. This case remains open pending the development of any suspects (200).

On 17 Nov 09 Deputy Sheriff Mankins requested a summons for a seventeen year old Wingett Run resident to appear in Juvenile Court on a charge of delinquency by criminal mischief. Following an incident on 9 Nov the juvenile reportedly admitted to a friend that he threw a glass bottle and damaged the mailbox at the residence of Rebecca Burwell, age 36, 2855 Heldman Road, Wingett Run. Though the teenager denied to Deputy Mankins that he damaged the mailbox, the juvenile’s father later phoned and stated his son admitted causing the damage.

On 17 Nov 09 Boyd E. Dearth, age 45, 12065 Veto Road, Marietta, reported he was outside his residence when he saw a heavily loaded Ford pickup truck passing his residence. Inspecting his property, Mr. Dearth noticed thirty-six tread link pads were missing from a Caterpillar bulldozer parked behind his residence. Mr. Dearth informed Sgt. Rhodes that to replace the stolen items it would cost approximately $2,700 for used pads and $5,400 for new pads. With Mr. Dearth’s description of the suspect vehicle, Sgt. Rhodes determined the suspects sold the stolen items for scrap in Parkersburg and identified one of the suspects as Donivan P. Beeler, age 25, 44 Sheets Road, Stockport. Interviewed at his residence, Mr. Beeler admitted that he, along with his brother Johnathan, age 23, stole the items and sold them as scrap for $479. Johnathan also admitted assisting his brother, saying his brother needed money because he just had a child and was behind on his bills. Johnathan further stated that his brother was familiar with Mr. Dearth’s property from prior hunting outings and that it not appear the items they stole were being used. Based on his investigation, Sgt. Rhodes arrested both suspects on a felony charge of theft and transported them to the Washington County Jail.

The following suspects were processed into the Washington County Jail between Tuesday 17 Nov 09 and Wednesday 18 Nov 09:

Anna Denise Jones, age 44, 122 Alta Street, Marietta, for violating the terms of her probation, a felony. Jones was arrested at the office of Probation Officer Gilchrist and processed into the Washington County Jail on 17 Nov 09 at 9:30 am.

Nathan Ray Rios, age 25, 2535 Highland Ridge Road, Lowell, for felonious assault. Rios turned himself in to Patrolman Ellenwood at the Marietta City Police Department and was processed into the Washington County Jail on 17 Nov 09 at 2:20 pm.

Donivan Paul Beeler, age 25, 44 Sheets Road, Stockport, for theft, a felony. Beeler was arrested at his residence by Sgt. Rhodes of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and processed into the Washington County Jail on 17 Nov 09 at 4:00 pm.

Johnathan Bryan Beeler, age 23, 44 Sheets Road, Stockport, for a felony charge of theft and for a misdemeanor charge of failure to appear at a court ordered hearing on unpaid fines. Beeler was arrested at his residence by Deputy Sheriff Carr and processed into the Washington County Jail on 16 Nov 09 at 4:00 pm.

There are currently 104 men and nineteen women being housed in the Washington County Jail.

NEWS RELEASES FOR TUESDAY 17 NOV 09

On 16 Nov 09 Elizabeth Langsdorf, age 48, 1695 State Route 260, New Matamoras, reported her seventy year old mother lives in a trailer near her property and at some point in the past two weeks $24 and an unknown quantity of medication from her mother’s residence. This case remains under investigation (296).

The following suspects were processed into the Washington County Jail between Monday 16 Nov 09 and Tuesday 17 Nov 09:

Michael Thomas Powell, age 21, 1710 Park Street, Parkersburg, for a felony charge of aggravated burglary and for four counts of felonious assault. Powell was picked up at the North Central Regional Jail by Deputy Sheriff Malone and processed into the Washington County Jail on 16 Nov 09 at 12:11 pm.

Benjamin Kent Roberts, age 44, 7 Lawnsdale View, Vienna, for OVI, a misdemeanor. Roberts was arrested in Marietta by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and processed into the Washington County Jail on 16 Nov 09 at 2:20 pm.

Caleb Josiah Jones, age 20, 4714 Sixth Avenue, Vienna, for violating the terms of his probation, a misdemeanor. Jones was arrested at the office of Probation Officer Brockmeier and processed into the Washington County Jail on 16 Nov 09 at 3:20 pm.

There are currently 103 men and twenty-three women being housed in the Washington County Jail.

NEWS RELEASES FOR MONDAY 16 NOV 09

On 13 Nov 09 Deputy Sheriff Smeeks requested a summons for Andrew Beaver, age 28, 211 Montgomery Street Apt. B, Marietta, for possession of drug paraphernalia. Arresting Mr. Beaver on a warrant from Franklin County, Deputy Smeeks found a hypodermic needle and a spoon with drug residue in Mr. Beaver’s pocket.

On 14 Nov 09 Beth Palmer, age 41, 128 Cornerstone Drive, Marietta, reported she and her husband issued checks totaling $4,700 to a local contractor to perform various tasks at their home and the contractor has yet to complete the work his company began on 2 Oct 09. This case remains under investigation (594).

On 14 Nov 09 a twenty-two year old Belpre resident was transported to Camden Clark Hospital following a prescription drug overdose. Found unresponsive by his girlfriend, the victim was coherent when squad members from Little Hocking arrived and he voluntarily agreed to be transported for treatment (712).

On 15 Nov 09 Deputy Sheriff Mayle requested a summons for Paul C. Wright, age 22, 13849 State Route 26 Apt. 1, Marietta, for disorderly conduct. Initially Mr. Wright reported he was assaulted by another party at his parents’ residence at 550 Archers Fork Road, New Matamoras. However, witness statements indicated Mr. Wright was intoxicated, belligerent and punched his girlfriend’s vehicle. A witness also stated Mr. Wright spat on him and charged toward him, at which point another witness took Mr. Wright to the ground and held him there until he calmed. The witness released Mr. Wright and he later departed without further incident.

The following suspects were processed into the Washington County Jail between Friday 13 Nov 09 and Monday 16 Nov 09:

Melinda Sue Norris, age 47, 671 Baker Ridge Road, Macksburg, for two felony counts of theft. Norris was arrested in Lower Salem by Lt. Johnson of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and processed into the Washington County Jail on 13 Nov 09 at 4:35 pm.

Brandon Michael Schmidt, age 19, 416 Mulberry Street, Marietta, for underage consumption of alcohol, a misdemeanor. Schmidt was arrested on Greene Street by Patrolman Arbaugh of the Marietta City Police Department and processed into the Washington County Jail on 15 Nov 09 at 2:40 am.

Dallas Willey Farnsworth, age 36, 122 Harmar Street, for a felony charge of receiving stolen property and for misdemeanor charges of receiving stolen property and attempted theft. Farnsworth was arrested on Franklin Street by Patrolman Arbaugh of the Marietta City Police Department and processed into the Washington County Jail on 15 Nov 09 at 6:56 am.

Aaron Freeman Farnsworth, age 24, 705 Thomas Street, Belpre, for a felony charge of receiving stolen property and for misdemeanor charges of receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia. Farnsworth was arrested on Franklin Street by Patrolman Arbaugh of the Marietta City Police Department and processed into the Washington County Jail on 15 Nov 09 at 7:21 am.

Ryan Jason Hebert, age 36, 212 Maple Street Apt. C, Marietta, for a felony charge of domestic violence and for a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Hebert was arrested on Wood Street by Patrolman Blasko of the Marietta City Police Department and processed into the Washington County Jail on 15 Nov 09 at 6:52 pm.

Philip Gene Covey, age 32, 26934 State Route 7, Marietta, for disorderly conduct, possession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors. Covey was arrested on Harmar Street by Patrolman Newell of the Marietta City Police Department and processed into the Washington County Jail on 16 Nov 09 at 1:25 am.

There are currently ninety-eight men and twenty-two women being housed in the Washington County Jail.

NEWS RELEASES FOR FRIDAY 13 NOV 09

On 12 Nov 09 Allison R. Buskirk, age 20, 1235 Coal Run Road, Marietta, reported her boyfriend Garrett P. Rich, age 22, 1225 Coal Run Road, assaulted her as well as her sister Amanda, age 23, and her mother Teresa, age 52. Allison said her boyfriend was intoxicated and asleep on her couch when she awoke him and told him to go home around 5:30 am. The request perturbed Mr. Rich, who replied with insults that angered Amanda. After Amanda slapped him on the arm Mr. Rich flew into a rage, threw her against a wall and shoved her to the floor. Mr. Rich then hit and choked Allison before grabbing her hair and dragging her, pushing Teresa to the side in the process, out the door and to the residence he shares with his mother next door. Inside his residence, Allison stated Mr. Rich pushed her down the basement stairs. Awakened by the commotion, the boyfriend of Mr. Rich’s mother detained him long enough for Allison to escape. When Deputy Sheriffs Simmons and Mankins arrived, Mr. Rich fled into a wooded area behind the residence. Once the Deputies completed their investigation, Mr. Rich returned home and grabbed all of the telephones in the residence. Also taking a kitchen knife, Mr. Rich ordered his mother Bonny Rich, age 47, at knifepoint into the basement and watched her in a mirror as he took a shower. Mr. Rich packed clothing, took a .38 revolver belonging to his mother’s boyfriend Millard Carper, age 63, and departed in his mother’s vehicle, which he took without permission. As a result of the two incidents, Mr. Rich was charged with domestic violence, three counts of assault, abduction and two counts of theft. Mr. Rich was later arrested in Wood County, WV and is being held there pending extradition to Ohio.

On 12 Nov 09 Julie Hartshorn, age 46, 1216A Williamson Avenue, New Matamoras, reported sometime during the past two days an unknown suspect(s) pried open a door and entered her trailer. Taking inventory of her belongings, Mr. Hartshorn does not believe any property is missing. This case remains under investigation (296).

On 12 Nov 09 an employee at Family Dollar, 10346 State Route 550, Vincent, reported a customer paid for a purchase with a fifty dollar bill that was later determined to be counterfeit. Deputy Sheriff Anderson does not believe the customer knowingly passed the fake currency and is attempting to determine the bill’s origin.

On 12 Nov 09 Lt. Wilson encountered a vehicle stopped along Pike Street near Interstate 77 at 2:45 am. The driver of the vehicle, Alison Sandy, age 20, 8468 Harris Highway, Belleville, WV, was visibly upset, crying and stated the passengers in her vehicle were arguing over an incident that took place at a bar in Marietta earlier that evening. Noticing an odor of alcohol, Lt. Wilson administered field sobriety tests on Ms. Sandy. Ms. Sandy performed poorly on the tests and was arrested for OVI. Assisting at the scene, Sgt. Rhodes arrested Ali Martin, age 20, 101 Stonecrest Drive, Marietta, for underage consumption of alcohol. Ms. Martin was one of the individuals arguing preceding the arrival of Deputies and tested .180 BAC.

The following suspects were processed into the Washington County Jail between Thursday 12 Nov 09 and Friday 13 Nov 09:

Lindsey Marie Garner, age 25, 494 Beach Drive, Belpre, for violating the terms of her probation, a felony. Garner was arrested at the office of Probation Officer Gault and processed into the Washington County Jail on 12 Nov 09 at 10:30 am.

Jeffrey Lee Ingram, age 30, 604 Cross Street, Belpre, for failure to appear and for breach of recognizance, both felonies. Ingram was arrested at his residence by Patrolman Kirby of the Belpre City Police Department and processed into the Washington County Jail on 12 Nov 09 at 8:00 pm.

Dallas Willey Farnsworth, age 36, Marietta, for nonsupport of dependants, a misdemeanor. Farnsworth was arrested on Second Street by Patrolman McCracken of the Marietta City Police Department and processed into the Washington County Jail on 12 Nov 09 at 10:55 pm.

There are currently ninety-five men and twenty-nine women being housed in the Washington County Jail.

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