Officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department reported that they had a deploy Tasers four times before subduing Trenton E. Matthews, 45, at large, after helped police on a foot chase north of the downtown area Friday, June 14.
According to the BPD report, an officer observed Matthews on foot in an alley in the 300 block of north Detroit Street about 8:07 p.m. The officer was aware that the defendant had a warrant out for his arrest and attempted to take him to custody.
However, Matthews fled the scene on foot, leading the officer through backyards on north Elm Street before being cornered in a dog kennel on Kennedy Street.
The defendant reportedly assumed a fighting stance at that time and following a warning, he was Tased without effect and continued to walk toward the officer. Matthews was Tased for a second time, which knocked him to the ground, but he repeatedly continued to resist and ignore commands of the officer, leading to the officer to deploy the Taser two more times before other officers arrived on the scene and helped subdue and handcuff Matthews.
Matthews was transported to the Logan County Jail without further incident where he was charged with the initial warrant for a probation violation, as well as additional charges of resisting arrest and obstructing official business.
Driver faces OVI, endangering children charges
Justin Levalley, 29, of 813 Heritage Court, Apt. 44, was arrested following a traffic stop in the city at about 8:46 p.m. Sunday, June 15.
Officers report that Levalley was observed by officers making an illegal turn from north Madriver Street onto east Sandusky Avenue. Officers stopped the vehicle and after speaking with Levalley, noted signs of impairment, while also noting that his 2-year-old daughter and the child’s mother were passengers in the vehicle.
Levalley reportedly admitted to officers that he had smoked marijuana earlier in the day and he failed field sobriety tests at the scene.
Levalley was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and endangering children. The child was released to her mother, and Levalley was transported to and lodged in the jail.
The report was forwarded to Logan County Children’s Services for further disposition.
• Another driver is facing a host of charges following a traffic stop Friday, June 13.
Brain Lowe, 53, of Raymond, was arrested after officers observed him driving erratically near the east Lake Avenue/Ludlow Road intersection on the southeast side of city about 10:43 p.m.
Ignoring both the lights and sirens of the cruiser, Lowe reportedly drove north on Ludlow, turned east on Brennan Road, driving off the side of the road at one point, before continuing through the intersection of Brennan Road and Township 179, driving north and then turning east on County Road 10, finally stopping in the 2000 block of C.R. 10.
After the stop, Lowe at first failed to comply with officers’ orders to exit the car, and once he did, police found him very unsteady on his feet with a strong smell of alcohol on his person. The report indicates that Lowe was unable to sit in the cruiser without assistance of officers.
A search of Lowe’s vehicle revealed a half-full bottle of spiritous liquor. Lowe reportedly told officers that he didn’t notice the emergency lights and sirens as he was on the phone and not paying attention. He also refused to take the standard sobriety tests at the scene.
Lowe was transported and lodged in the Logan County Jail on charges of failure to comply, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs , OVI -refusal to submit to field sobriety/breath tests as Lowe had at least one OVI conviction within the last 20 years, no driver’s license and driving while texting.
Man charged with burglary
Gary Lee Douglas Burnside, 34, of 104 Pinecrest Ct., was arrested Friday, June 13 after he reportedly forced his way into his former residence at Heritage Court at about 9:54 p.m.
Police report a 911 call was received stating that Burnside was trying to kick in the front door the apartment of his former girlfriend, who called 911 and left the line open while hiding the phone from sight.
After officers arrived, the victim reported that Burnside broke into the apartment via a sliding-glass door on the balcony, and verbally abused the victim before gathering several items and leaving the premises.
The victim said that Burnside would likely be found at his parents’ house at 104 Pinecrest Ct., and officers located him there a few minutes later. After questioning, officers arrested Burnside, charging him with burglary and menacing before lodging him in the jail.
Teen bicyclist transported from crash
Officers also report that a 13-year-old bicyclist suffered unspecified injuries she after was struck by a car at about 2:36 p.m. Friday.
Several witnesses at the scene said that the juvenile rode her electric bicycle into traffic while riding east at the intersection of south Madriver Street and east Chillicothe Avenue before being struck by a slow-moving northbound vehicle.
The girl was transported to the hospital by the Bellefontaine EMS, where she was able to answer officers’ questions and admitted that she had not been paying attention when she entered the intersection.
No report on her condition was available, the driver of the vehicle was not citied, and no damage was noted. The case has been forwarded to the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office for a review of charges against the girl.