CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Chillicothe police officers handled a wide array of criminal offenses, traffic incidents, and crisis interventions over a busy 24-hour shift on Thursday, June 4, 2026. According to the department’s daily media report, units responded to 20 total incidents, including an active physical altercation at a local department store, a stolen vehicle, and multiple vehicle vandalism complaints.
Late-Night Store Fight and Early Morning Vehicle Theft
Night-shift and evening crews bookended the day with responses to significant criminal complaints:
- Gabe’s Department Store Fight: Late Thursday night at 11:02 p.m., officers rushed to the Gabe’s retail location on North Bridge Street following reports of an active fight. The incident resulted in an ongoing investigation into charges of assault and aggravated menacing.
- Stolen Motor Vehicle: Early in the morning at 4:41 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of East 7th Street to investigate a reported vehicle theft.
Multiple Instances of Vehicle Damage and Vandalism
Property destruction kept daylight shift officers actively moving across the city’s east side, with several callers reporting targeted vehicle damage:
- At 6:20 a.m., officers responded to a vandalism complaint in the 100 block of East 2nd Street.
- Shortly after, at 8:42 a.m., a separate call was made from the 90 block of East 2nd Street regarding a vehicle that had been damaged and subjected to larceny by threat.
- At 9:41 a.m., police were called to the 100 block of East Water Street for an identical complaint involving a tampered and defaced vehicle.
- Later in the afternoon, at 2:59 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of Caldwell Street filed an official criminal mischief complaint regarding property damage.
Shoplifting Summons and Warrant Adjustments
Officers executed multiple warrants and handled retail theft assignments throughout the afternoon and evening:
- River Trace Lane Theft: At 11:56 a.m., police responded to a theft complaint at a business on River Trace Lane. Investigators gathered evidence indicating that a suspect, identified as Cody Carlson, had stolen merchandise from the store. Carlson was issued a legal summons for theft.
- Jail Warrant Served: At 2:23 p.m., an officer responded to the Ross County Jail to formally serve an active arrest warrant to Matthew Cassady, who remained in the custody of jail staff.
- Medical Release on Warrant: At 6:28 p.m., a patrolling officer spotted Michael Bliss riding as a passenger in a vehicle pulling into a driveway on North Sugar Street. Knowing Bliss had an active failure-to-appear warrant, the officer initiated contact. Upon discovery that Bliss had an open hand infection and a regimen of critical heart medications, the officer determined the jail would require medical clearance. To ensure safety, the officer served Bliss with the warrant and issued a summons with a new court date rather than booking him.
Accidents and Disturbance Responses
The remaining log entries consisted of minor accidents, neighborhood disturbances, and emergency medical responses:
- Hit-and-Run: At 5:42 p.m., an officer was dispatched to investigate a hit-and-run (“hit-skip”) accident that occurred in the alley directly behind the Cross Keys tavern on North Paint Street. Earlier in the morning, an Assured Clear Distance Ahead (ACDA) auto accident was reported near High and Chestnut streets.
- Disorderly Behavior: Officers responded to a loud music complaint on East 4th Street, a criminal trespass and disorderly call on Theatre Street, and an active overdose emergency on Dayton Street at 4:22 p.m.
- Mental Health Crises: Police also successfully intervened in two separate mental health emergencies, responding to suicidal threats on University Drive and Orange Street to connect individuals with crisis resources.
