CHILLICOTHE — A local man was taken into custody Tuesday night after interfering with emergency responders at a vehicle fire on Paint Street.
According to the Chillicothe Police Department, officers responded around 9:14 p.m. to a report of a Jeep with its hood on fire in the Jack’s Tires parking lot. Upon arrival, officers encountered 30-year-old William Deleon standing in the roadway and yelling at responders, which prevented them from focusing on the vehicle.
Officer Jonathan Davis reported that Deleon ignored repeated instructions to move to the sidewalk and continued to shout obscenities, clap in the officer’s face, and refuse to comply with orders. When Davis attempted to handcuff him, Deleon resisted and shoved the officer. A Taser was deployed to gain compliance, after which Deleon was secured and transported to the Ross County Jail.
Deleon was booked on charges including obstructing official business, misconduct at an emergency, and resisting arrest.
Officer Shelby Lott, also on scene, noted that Deleon continued to be disorderly and claimed he believed his ex-wife may have been involved in the fire. Investigators found no evidence to support this claim. The vehicle’s registered owner, Jasmine Babineau, said she suspected the fire was caused by an electrical issue, noting problems with the Jeep’s key fob. Fire department personnel also confirmed that the fire likely originated from an electrical malfunction in the hood area.
No injuries were reported, and the fire was contained by the local fire department.
