A Dayton man was arrested for assault after a Wednesday morning, June 18 incident at Top’s Towing, 11083 Township Road 80, Lewistown.
Deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the business shortly before 10 a.m. on a report of a civil dispute.
Employees of Tops Towing towed the Nissan Rouge sport utility vehicle Jacob Cochran, 37, was operating back to the business after he received a citation from troopers of the Ohio State Highway Patrol for driving under suspension.
Cochran, who rode with the tow truck operator, was upset that Tops employees would not release the vehicle to him.
Employees explained to Cochran they could not release the vehicle to him because he is neither its registered owner nor a valid driver, which the OSHP requires along with payment for the towing bill.
When a Tops employee attempted to retrieve keys from the Nissan’s ignition from the passenger side, Cochran advanced toward them and slammed the vehicle door, which struck the employee on the head.
Deputies, who witnessed the act, immediately arrested Cochran.
While being searched, the suspect told deputies he had a Ruger 9mm handgun in his “man purse.”
Arrangements were made to pick up a teenage juvenile traveling with Cochran.
The suspect was lodged in the Logan County Jail.
Deputies also retained the handgun for safe keeping until the suspect can make pick-up arrangements. He possessed the weapon under disability and did not notify deputies about the gun as a non-valid conceal-carry holder.
