News 30 Apr 2026
19 Apr 2026 Deputy Huck responded to Waterford Township to conduct a welfare check. The Beverly/Waterford Squad was dispatched to provide medical care.
20 Apr 2026 Deputy Mays began an investigation in Lawrence Township of batteries being stolen off of equipment.
21 Apr 2026 while on patrol on Main Street, Belpre, OH, Deputy Wallace observed a male operating a vehicle with OH registration. The vehicle is registered to Edward Houk who was not valid. A traffic stop was initiated with lights and siren, however the driver continued on. After approximately 2 miles deputies were beside and behind Houk with audible sirens and visible lights. Houk continued on State Route 7 to Ayers Boulevard where he drove off the road, through a street sign, attempted to flip around at the dead end, and drove head on into Deputy Bush’s cruiser. Houk continued on causing property damage. Edward Wayne Houk, age 25,16920 SR 550, Marietta, OH, was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Jail charged with one count failure to comply with order or signal of police officer (fleeing and eluding), a misdemeanor, and felonious assault, a fourth degree felony.
21 Apr 2026 Deputies Welch and Mays responded to Sandhill Road, Marietta Township, to a report of Ariel Stewart assaulting an individual. Deputies were en route when dispatch advised of multiple calls regarding actions by Stewart. Deputies met with the subjects involved. During a conversation Stewart became very aggressive and began to strike, push, and headbutted him in the mouth. Stewart got into her car and drove off, and returned driving through the yard of the residence where the victim was standing forcing him to retreat to his truck. Visible injuries on the victim’s person were viewed. Ariel Sabrina Stewart, age 26, 1045 Sandhill Road, Lot 20, Marietta, OH, was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Jail charged with domestic violence.
21 Apr 2026 Deputy Groves was advised that Edward Houk Jr. had been arrested at approximately 0030 and placed in the Washington County Jail. At the time of his arrest he had a female dog with him that was transported to the Humane Society. Information was received that there were dogs at the residence that did not have anyone to take care of them. Deputy Groves responded to the jail and attempted to speak to Houk. Houk advised he was planning on being released and would care for the dogs, being two large Labradors and nine (9) Labrador puppies, approximately six (6) weeks in age, inside the residence. The mother of the dogs was the one taken to the Humane Society. Information was obtained on possible subjects to care for the dogs in the meantime, however they refused. Contact was made with Branda Houk, an inmate in the Washington County Jail, owner of the residence where the dogs were being kept. Multiple attempts were made to contact other subjects who could possibly care for the dogs, with negative results. Houk also refused permission for Deputy Groves to enter the home and transport the dogs to be with their mother. A search warrant was obtained and at approximately 170 hrs. the home was entered and the animals were seized. Nine puppies were located in a fenced enclosure in the residence with no food or water, and 2 large Labradors were located. All dogs were transported to the Humane Society where the puppies were reunited with their mother and food provided. The puppies proceeded to gorge themselves on the food and were attempting to nurse on their mother. A charge of cruelty to animals, prohibitions concerning companion animals and abandoning animals is being filed on Edward Wayne Houk, age 25, and Branda Arlene Houk, age 54, 16920 State Route 550, Marietta, OH.
