CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — What started as “drama” over a shared love interest ended in a face-full of pepper spray and a criminal summons at a local gas station Wednesday night.
Circleville Police were dispatched to the Sheetz on South Court Street around 8:49 PM on March 18, 2026, originally to assist the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office with a K9 drug sniff on an unrelated traffic stop. However, the scene quickly shifted when a woman stumbled toward officers in obvious distress, clutching her face and yelling for help.
The “Drama” Erupts
According to police reports, the victim informed officers she had been pepper-sprayed by Brittany Ward, 32, of Circleville. The victim stated the two women have ongoing conflict because they are both “seeing” the same man.
The victim told officers she had stopped by a residence to drop something off because the man was planning to visit Ward later that night. When she pulled into the Sheetz parking lot shortly after, she realized Ward had followed her. The victim stated she felt safe approaching Ward’s car because she saw police officers nearby conducting a traffic stop. However, during an exchange of words, Ward allegedly discharged pepper spray directly into the woman’s face.
Surveillance Video Contradicts Claims
Sgt. Matthew Harrell located Ward shortly after at her residence on West Franklin Street. Initially, Ward claimed she was the victim of harassment, alleging the other woman had been throwing trash at her house and had followed her to Sheetz. Ward told officers she acted in self-defense after the woman allegedly threatened her and her children at her car window.
However, investigators quickly pulled the Sheetz surveillance footage, which told a different story:
- The Footage: The video showed the victim arriving at Sheetz first and parking her white sedan.
- The Pursuit: Seconds later, Ward’s black Kia pulled in and positioned itself directly behind the victim’s car, effectively blocking it in.
- The Altercation: The footage showed the victim walking toward Ward’s vehicle for a conversation before abruptly recoiling and walking toward the police officers for help.
Charges Filed
Faced with the video evidence, Ward reportedly changed her story, admitting the other woman was already at the business when she arrived.
Circleville Medics arrived on the scene to treat the victim for pepper spray exposure. Officers determined that because Ward had followed the victim and blocked her vehicle, the claim of self-defense was not applicable.
Brittany Ward was issued a summons for Assault and is ordered to appear in Circleville Municipal Court.
