An incident in Bellefontaine this past weekend has shown how the universal presence of smartphone cameras and social media have changed society at large and the way that police conduct investigations.
Caleb M. Perk, 29, and John Messer Sr., 60, both of Bellefontaine, will be appearing in court after the pair were reportedly involved in a physical altercation over a parking spot near a Bellefontaine City Schools bus stop at Brookstone Apartments on Gunntown Road Friday, Sept. 12, at 8:08 a.m.
There was a just single witness who came forward to officers at the scene after the altercation was over. This witness shared a video showing part of the incident, during which no weapons were displayed and in which no one appeared to be injured.
However, a BCS School Resource Officer later said there were students at the bus stop at the time of the fight. These students reportedly took photos and videos of the incident, photos and videos that were now making the rounds on social media.
This prompted the BCS Superintendent to send out a district wide message to parents advising them of the situation. Although “gun” and “box cutter” were both mentioned in the lone witness statement, police said they have, at present, no evidence of a display or use of either a gun or box cutter during the altercation.
As the investigation into the matter continued, Perk and Messer both reported they were being harassed on social media regarding the incident.
Given what evidence police had available to them at the time, summonses for disorderly conduct were issued to both Perk and Messer and the case has been forwarded to the Bellefontaine Municipal Court Prosecutor’s Officer for further investigation.
Drive-thru incident leads to OVI arrest
Officers report the arrest of Brenda Roach, 64, of Bellefontaine after she reportedly rear-ended another car in the Varsity Drive-Thru, 1324 S. Main St., at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11.
Once officers arrived, both the vehicles were moved out of the drive-thru, during which time Roach exhibited signs of intoxication and failed field sobriety tests.
Roach was transported to the Bellefontaine Police Departments, where she registered 0.17 on a breathalyzer test. Roach was cited for operating a vehicle under the influence alcohol/drugs and failure to maintain assured clear distance before being released to a sober driver.
• Riley V. Hall, 21, of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., was arrested on OVI and vandalism charges Sunday, Sept. 14, about 10:48 p.m.
According to the report, troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol forwarded an alert regarding a black Lexus headed westbound on U.S. Route 33 near the County Road 10 exit. A BPD cruiser was near the U.S. 33/State Route 540 interchange when the alert was relayed and spotted the vehicle, following it westbound on U.S. 33.
Officers said the Lexus was weaving back on forth on the highway before being stopped near the U.S. Route 68 interchange, where it was met by another cruiser.
Hall reportedly immediately exited the car once stopping. Officers detected alcohol on her breath and she failed field sobriety tests.
Hall was then arrested, but became agitated and aggressively verbal toward officers as they escorted her to the rear of a cruiser. Once inside, Hall was able to slip out of the handcuffs and began using them to hit the inside of the window, causing damage.
She was again cuffed and transported to the Logan County Jail without further incident.
Hall refused to submit to a breathalyzer test al the jail. She was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs as well as vandalism for the damage she did to the cruiser’s window before being lodged.
Other arrests reported
Police report that Shayne A. Profitt, 42, of Bellefontaine was arrested on a probation violation at 12:34 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13.
Also arrested was Damon C. Lensman, 49, at large, on a felony failure to appear warrant at 4:48 p.m. Saturday.
