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CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Three women are behind bars following a violent, two-part assault at the Expressway Drive Thru on Wednesday afternoon. Police say a personal dispute over a relationship boiled over into a “malicious” attack that left a business manager battered and bruised.
The Incident
At approximately 3:00 p.m. on March 4, Chillicothe Police were dispatched to the drive-thru at 1032 E. Main St. regarding a manager being assaulted by a female subject. While officers were en route, dispatchers upgraded the call, reporting that the suspect had returned with several other women and a second, more violent assault was actively taking place.
The “Self-Defense” Claim
Upon arrival, officers located three suspects—Erica Copp, Ashley Litteral, and April Conshafsky—sitting in a silver Ford Explorer across the street.
The women were reportedly shouting and “displaying fast-moving hand and arm gestures”. Erica Copp, who had a black eye, claimed she had been “jumped” by the manager, and that she had only returned with her sister and a friend to defend herself. Copp told officers the dispute was because the manager was in a relationship with Copp’s husband.
Surveillance Tells a Different Story
Despite the suspects’ claims of self-defense, investigators reviewed the business’s surveillance footage, which painted a much darker picture:
- The First Attack: Footage showed Copp forcing her way past a second employee, Cassie Spears, to reach the woman in the cashier office. Copp allegedly grabbed the woman and engaged in a minute-long struggle before fleeing the scene.
- The Second Attack: Minutes later, the women returned in the Ford Explorer. Video showed Litteral, Copp, and Conshafsky storming the cashier office. Police say Litteral placed the victim in a choke-hold and dragged her seven feet across the floor by her hair. All three women were seen on video repeatedly punching and kicking Pierce while she was on the ground.
Officer Caleb Sizemore described the 2-minute-and-15-second second assault as “malicious,” noting that the victim was “largely unable to protect herself due to the number of people attacking her”.
Victim Injuries
The victim, suffered significant injuries, including a misshapen forehead from a large contusion, facial swelling, and bruising on her ribs where she was reportedly kicked. The second employee, another employee, was also struck while trying to defend her manager.
Arrests and Charges
All three women were arrested and transported to the Ross County Jail:
- Erica Copp: Charged with two counts of Aggravated Burglary.
- Ashley Litteral: Charged with Aggravated Burglary. (Police noted that when informed, she was caught on video using a choke-hold, Litteral stated, “Yes, I did that.”)
- April Conshafsky: Charged with Aggravated Burglary.
All three suspects have been officially barred from the Expressway Drive Thru and were scheduled for their first court appearance this morning.
