CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — What began as a routine traffic stop for a marked cruiser violation ended in a felony drug arrest and the seizure of nearly $14,000 in cash early Wednesday morning.
Tyrone Bailey Jr., of New Jersey, is currently being held without bond in the Ross County Jail after Chillicothe Police uncovered a “mobile drug kit” inside his rental vehicle during a stop at the Pilot station on East Main Street.
The Traffic Stop
At approximately 12:30 AM on March 25, Sgt. Brock Yoder observed a black Chevrolet SUV with Florida plates crossing the center line on Liberty Street. After trailing the vehicle to East Main Street, Sgt. Yoder initiated a stop as the SUV pulled into the Pilot parking lot.
The driver, Tyrone Bailey Jr., and his 19-year-old brother, Tyron Bailey, told officers they were visiting from New Jersey. However, their story quickly began to unravel when Sgt. Yoder requested a K9 unit. Officer Sizemore arrived with K9 Reg, who gave a “positive alert” for narcotics, giving officers probable cause to search the vehicle.
The Discovery: Cash, Pills, and “Tools of the Trade”
The subsequent search of the rental SUV revealed an extensive array of items typically associated with drug distribution:
- The Cash: Officers found a total of $13,887 in US currency stashed in a black backpack and an Adidas duffel bag.
- The Pills: A prescription vial with no label was found in the driver’s door containing a cocktail of Schedule II and Schedule IV drugs, including Oxycodone, Amphetamines (Adderall), and Alprazolam (Xanax).
- The Equipment: Police seized a vacuum sealer, a box of vacuum seal bags, a digital kitchen scale, and multiple boxes of “fold and close” sandwich bags.
- Ammunition: While no firearm was recovered during the initial stop, officers found multiple calibers of ammunition, including 9mm rounds.
The Sherman Park Connection
Investigating Detective Adam Steele followed a trail of evidence that led to Sherman Park. Although the brothers claimed they were just “leaving a girl’s house,” surveillance footage from Sherman Park showed the pair arriving around 10:30 PM on March 24 and entering a residence at 905 Sherman Park. They were seen leaving that address at 12:25 AM—just minutes before the police intercepted them at Pilot.
Digital Roadblocks
Detectives also seized five Apple iPhones found in the vehicle. However, investigators hit a high-tech wall: the phones were powered off, passcode-protected, and in “Device Protection Mode,” which requires facial identification to unlock even with a search warrant. Because police could not bypass the security, the phones were eventually returned to the younger brother, Tyron.
Legal Outcomes
Tyrone Bailey Jr. was charged with Felony Possession of Drugs (F5) and a traffic citation for Lanes of Travel. A background check revealed he has a prior felony conviction for robbery, which legally prohibits him from possessing ammunition.
His brother, Tyron Bailey, was interviewed and released without charges. He reportedly asked about the seized money but was told he would need a court order to recover the $6,820 attributed to him.
