Ohio State Highway Patrol "Contributing to a Safer Ohio"

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In Remembrance . . .

Trooper Andrew C. Baldridge
November 7, 1984 - February 4, 2010
Hometown: Findlay
149th Academy Class: December 16, 2009

Trooper Baldridge was killed in a one-vehicle crash when his police Interceptor drove off the right side of the road and rolled over. The crash occurred on Township Road 95, just south of state Route 103, just west of the village of Carey.

Troopers find heroin and codeine in Trumbull County

Troopers stopped a 2011 Dodge Charger on State Route 5 in Trumbull County for a following too closely violation. Criminal indicators were observed and during a consensual pat down, drug paraphernalia and residue were found on the driver. A probable cause search revealed two large bottles of Prometh with Codeine and nearly 43 grams of heroin, worth more than $5,000. The driver, Neal Mackey, 44, and his passenger, James W. Chapman Jr., 23, both of Warren, Ohio, were incarcerated in the Trumbull County Jail and charged with possession of heroin, a second-degree felony, and possession of codeine, a fifth-degree felony.

Troopers seize counterfeit baseball hats worth more than $62,000

An Illinois man is facing felony trademark counterfeiting charges following a traffic stop in Lorain County on February 1. Troopers stopped a 2006 Toyota Sienna, with Illinois registration, for a marked lanes violation on the Ohio Turnpike near milepost 134. During contact with the driver, stacks of the ball hats were observed by the trooper. A consent search revealed 3,116 counterfeit baseball hats, with an estimated value of more than $62,000. The hats displayed trademarked logos of the NFL, NBA, MLB, The Ohio State University and Monster Energy Drink. Tae Gone Park, 41, of Glenview, Ill., was incarcerated in the Lorain County Jail and charged with trademark counterfeiting, a fourth-degree felony.

Three from Central Ohio caught with Rx pills and guns

Troopers from the Findlay Post seized a .380 and a 9mm, both loaded, and 207 illegal Oxycodone Hydrochloride prescription pills following a traffic stop in Hancock County on February 1. Troopers stopped a BMW on Interstate 75, near milepost 162, for a marked lanes violation. Criminal indicators were observed and a Hancock County Sheriff’s Office drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed the loaded weapons and pills.
The driver, Felica Elder, 28, of Reynoldsburg, and her passengers, Darthaniel Hamilton, 43, of Canal Winchester  and Takisha Jack, 27, of Columbus, were all charged with possession of a controlled substance, a second-degree felony. Hamilton was also charged with a violation of a concealed carry permit and Jack was charged with carrying a concealed weapon. The suspects were incarverated in the Hancock County Justice Center.  

Troopers seize heroin and marijuana from Michigan man

A Michigan man is facing felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized approximately 45 grams of heroin, valued at $9000, following a traffic stop Wednesday on US 35 in Ross County. Troopers stopped a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer, with West Virginia registration, for following too closely on US 35 eastbound, near milepost 26, at approximately 2:12 p.m. Criminal indicators were observed and a Patrol drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed the heroin, individually packaged for sale, concealed in the vehicle.  Approximately 34 grams of marijuana and several pieces of drug paraphernalia were also found in the vehicle. The suspect, Demetrius L. Price, 21, of Detroit, Mich., was incarcerated in the Ross County Jail and charged with trafficking in heroin and possession of heroin, both second-degree felonies. 

Recent Criminal Patrol Activity and Investigations

January 31, 2012

Troopers stopped a 2005 Volvo XC9, with Oregon registration, for a following too closely violation on the Ohio Turnpike near milepost 133 in Lorain County. Criminal indicators were observed and the trooper observed an odor of raw marijuana. A probable cause search revealed a loaded .45 caliber pistol, a loaded .243 rifle, a baggy of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and $10,020 in cash. Ryan M. Hudson, 32, of Grant’s Pass, Ore., was incarcerated in the Lorain County Jail and charges with carrying a concealed weapon, a fourth-degree felony; possession of marijuana, a minor misdemeanor; and drug paraphernalia, a fourth degree misdemeanor.

January 29, 2012

Troopers stopped with a disabled 2005 Kia Sedona, with Michigan registration, on Interstate 75 near milepost 116 in Auglaize County. Criminal indicators were observed and a Wapakoneta Police Department drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle. During routine pat down, troopers located a pill bottle and plastic baggie containing 518 Oxycodone pills and 204 pills of Alprazolam, worth an estimated $15,000, in the suspect’s pants. Additionally, $1,833.50 in cash was also located in the suspect’s pants and was seized pending state forfeiture.  Julious Verneal Byrd, 25, from Detroit, Mich., was incarcerated in the Auglaize County Jail and charged with possession of a schedule II substance, a second-degree felony, and possession of a schedule IV substance, a fourth-degree felony.

January 29, 2012

Troopers stopped a vehicle on U.S. 23 for a traffic violation in Pike County. Criminal indicators were observed and the Waverly Police Department responded to assist. Further investigation revealed the occupants did not have authorization to have possession of the vehicle. Once the suspects realized the vehicle would be towed, they fled on foot. After a foot pursuit the suspects were arrested. A search of the vehicle revealed 203 pills of Oxycodone, 40 grams of cocaine, 32 Xanax pills, 10 grams of marijuana, eight dosage units of Ecstasy and two grams of heroin. The suspects are facing charges of obstructing official business, possession and trafficking in drugs.

January 26, 2012

Two women from Chicago are facing felony charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers recovered 27 Wal-Mart gift cards and other merchandise, valued at more than $12,000, that had been purchased with stolen credit cards. In addition, troopers recovered 50 Visa debit cards with no receipt indicating the value of each card. more

January 25, 2012

Two suspects are facing drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized 20 grams of marijuana, 10 grams of hashish, 32 ounces of hash oil and four large marijuana laced brownies, valued at nearly $63,000. In addition, troopers seized drug paraphernalia and items associated with a marijuana grow operation, following a traffic stop in Trumbull County. Troopers stopped a 2003 Honda Element, with Texas registration, for a marked lanes violation, on Interstate 80, near milepost 235, at approximately 12:36 a.m. Upon approaching the vehicle the trooper observed a strong odor of raw marijuana. A probable cause search revealed the drugs, paraphernalia, and the following marijuana cultivation items; grow lights, fertilizer, exhaust systems, seeds and industrial filters. more