CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A local woman faces multiple charges after allegedly tossing community food supplies into the street from a downtown Blessing Box and fleeing from police Monday evening.
Chillicothe police officers responded to 19 E. Main St. on Sept. 28 after receiving a report that a woman was damaging a public Blessing Box—a community pantry used to store free food and essential supplies for residents in need. Callers reported seeing a blonde woman in a blue shirt taking items out of the box and scattering them across the roadway.
Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Joseph Gay observed a woman matching the suspect’s description walking eastbound on East Main Street. When the officer activated cruiser emergency lights to initiate a stop, the woman fled across East Main Street toward the Sack n’ Save, ignoring verbal commands to halt.
Officer Gay pursued the suspect on foot and stopped her across the street. The officer noted in police reports that the suspect appeared off-balance and smelled strongly of alcohol.
Police identified the woman as Beth Causey. While officers were attempting to place her in handcuffs, Causey reportedly pulled away and resisted arrest. An officer utilized a takedown maneuver to bring Causey to the ground, where she was taken into custody without further incident.
Causey suffered a bloody nose and a black eye during the arrest. Emergency medical services were dispatched to the scene, but Causey refused medical treatment.
Assisting officers noted that while the Blessing Box itself remained undamaged, numerous canned food items were scattered in the street alongside an opened container of alcohol.
Causey was transported to the Ross County Jail and charged with disorderly intoxication, obstructing official business, and resisting arrest. She was scheduled to make her initial appearance in Chillicothe Municipal Court on Tuesday morning.
