CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Chillicothe Police Department stayed active on Thursday, April 9, 2026, handling 21 calls for service that included a residential burglary, multiple theft reports, and the service of a felony arrest warrant.
While the city saw a steady flow of traffic enforcement and minor disturbances, several high-priority incidents stood out in the daily media report.
Burglary and Theft Investigations
Property crimes topped the afternoon and evening reports:
- S. Brownell St. Burglary: At 5:35 PM, officers were dispatched to the 70 block of S. Brownell Street in response to a burglary. Police have opened an investigation into the break-in.
- Walmart Shoplifting: At 6:25 PM, units responded to the River Trace Lane Walmart regarding a theft in progress. According to the report, a suspect was detained at the scene by loss prevention before officers arrived.
- Vehicle Theft: Earlier in the day, a theft from a motor vehicle was reported on N. Bridge Street at 12:10 PM.
- Zander Drive: A separate theft complaint was filed at 6:23 PM on Zander Drive; that investigation remains pending.
Felony Warrant Served
Morning operations led to a significant arrest on N. High Street. At 7:19 AM, officers located David I. Melott in the 600 block. Melott was found to have an active felony arrest warrant through the Ross County Sheriff’s Office. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Ross County Jail.
Medical Emergency & Public Safety
- Overdose Call: At 7:47 AM, emergency crews and police were dispatched to E. 7th Street regarding a possible drug overdose. No further details on the victim’s condition were released as the investigation continues.
- Welfare Check: Officers performed a welfare check on W. 7th Street at 12:56 PM.
- Noise Complaints: A disorderly conduct call involving a noise complaint was investigated on E. 5th Street early in the morning.
Traffic Enforcement and “Hit-Skip”
The roadways remained a focus for CPD throughout the day:
- Hit-Skip: A “Hit-Skip” (hit-and-run) crash was reported at 9:02 AM in the area of Allen Avenue.
- Bridge Street Stops: Traffic stops on the city’s main thoroughfare resulted in citations for expired plates and operating a motorcycle without a proper endorsement.
- Distracted Driving: A stop was conducted on E. Water Street at 9:08 AM for a driver with an obstructed license plate and operating without a license.
Criminal Trespass
Police responded to four separate trespassing complaints throughout the afternoon on Columbus Street, Dayton Street, Adams Avenue, and the River Trace Lane area. All four cases are currently under investigation.
Summary of Activity:
- Total Records: 21
- Burglary/Thefts: 5
- Warrants Served: 2
- Overdose: 1
The Chillicothe Police Department encourages citizens to report any suspicious activity by calling the non-emergency line or 911 in the event of an emergency.
