CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Chillicothe Police Department had a heavily active 24 hours on Saturday, July 18, 2026, handling 17 total incidents ranging from property crimes and traffic collisions to a runaway juvenile and a late-night hit-and-run involving an impaired driver.
Runaway Juvenile and Late-Night Disturbance Reports
The day began early for officers with several calls in the pre-dawn hours:
- Disorderly Conduct at Gabe’s: Just after midnight at 12:48 AM, officers responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at the Gabe’s department store located at 1080 N. Bridge St. The investigation is ongoing.
- Runaway Juvenile: At approximately 2:10 AM, police were dispatched to the 350 block of E. 7th St. regarding a report of a runaway juvenile.
- SUV Blocking Roadway: At 3:29 AM, a patrolling officer discovered a gold SUV parked directly in the middle of South Watt Street. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abandoned or stalled vehicle.
String of Property Crimes and Vehicle Thefts
Property damage and thefts kept officers moving across multiple neighborhoods throughout the morning and afternoon:
- Stolen Vehicles: At 10:11 AM, a vehicle was reported stolen from the 600 block of Oneida Road. Less than an hour later, at 11:08 AM, officers responded to the 500 block of Allen Avenue for a related recovery investigation involving receiving stolen property. Both cases remain under active investigation.
- Vandalism and Break-ins: Incidents of criminal mischief and vandalism were reported in the 400 block of Laurel Street at 6:41 AM and the 243 block of Park Street at 2:44 PM. Additionally, officers responded to a breaking and entering complaint with intent to commit theft in the area of E. 5th St. just after 1:00 PM.
- Shoplifting at Walmart: At 1:06 PM, police responded to an active shoplifting and theft complaint at the Walmart located at 85 River Trace Lane.
Multiple Traffic Crashes and a Hit-and-Run OVI
Chillicothe officers were called to three separate traffic incidents on Saturday, culminating in a late-night hit-and-run:
- Failure to Yield: At 2:43 PM, a crash caused by a failure to yield at an intersection was reported on North High Street near Safford Avenue.
- ACDA Citation: At 3:38 PM, officers responded to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Paint Street and Water Street. One driver was issued a citation for failing to maintain an Assured Clear Distance Ahead (ACDA).
- OVI Hit-and-Run: The day ended with a major traffic investigation at 11:27 PM. Officers were dispatched to the 663 block of Buckeye Street following a hit-and-run collision. According to preliminary police logs, the fleeing driver faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident, failure to control, and Operating a Vehicle under the Influence (OVI).
Public Intoxication and Disturbances at Local Parks
Public disturbances also brought police response later in the afternoon:
- Poland Park Disturbance: Officers were called to Poland Park on South Hickory Street at 4:10 PM to break up an active disturbance.
- Porch Hopper Arrest: At 7:52 PM, dispatch received complaints about an intoxicated male walking onto multiple residential porches and drinking alcohol near East 2nd Street and Mosher Alley. Officers responded to the scene for disorderly conduct creating a risk of harm.
- McDonald’s Disturbance: At 9:31 PM, officers were sent to the McDonald’s at 1124 E. Main St. following reports of a disorderly customer.
All incidents remain under routine investigation by the Chillicothe Police Department. Anyone with information regarding the ongoing theft or hit-and-run investigations is encouraged to contact the CPD.
