Clarification: Bellefontaine police said information released in an earlier report inadvertently conflated details involving two individuals with similar names.
According to police, the Special Response Team was deployed due to Robert J. Price III’s weapons history and Robert J. Price II’s documented history of violence and weapons-related offenses. Police said the confusion stemmed from information involving father and son.
Police said Price II has an extensive criminal history dating back decades, including convictions for aggravated rioting, breaking and entering, resisting arrest, drug trafficking, weapons violations, escape, and other offenses.
The arrests detailed below are part of a separate, follow-up investigation and involve a different individual than the suspect taken into custody earlier Wednesday on Garfield Avenue.
Update: Two arrested following drug raid on Henry Street
Two Bellefontaine residents were arrested Wednesday night, Jan. 21, following the execution of a narcotics search warrant at a Henry Street residence, according to the Bellefontaine Police Department.
As part of an ongoing investigation and a continuation of events from Wednesday morning on Garfield Avenue, officers executed a search warrant at approximately 9:15 p.m. Wednesday at 616 Henry St.
The operation involved the Bellefontaine Police Department Special Response Team, detectives from the Bellefontaine Police Department, and members of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office.
Police said the Special Response Team arrived at the residence with emergency lights activated and issued announcements via loudspeaker for occupants to exit the residence. Amanda Y. Chavis, 40, exited the front door and was detained.
A short time later, Robert J. Price II, 52, was observed moving inside the residence but did not initially comply with commands to exit. Price later exited the residence and was detained without further incident. The residence was then cleared by SRT members and turned over to detectives.
During a search of the residence, investigators located a grocery bag in the kitchen containing multiple knotted plastic baggies filled with suspected crack cocaine and powdered cocaine. The substances had a combined gross weight of approximately 76.31 grams and tested positive for cocaine.
Also located in the kitchen was a black digital scale found in a drawer. Police said the face of the scale was covered in white powder residue.
In the master bedroom, investigators located a bulk amount of U.S. currency bundled with rubber bands. The money was later counted and determined to total $22,819.
Price was transported to the Logan County Jail, where an additional $1,462 was discovered concealed in his shoes during the booking process and seized.
Investigators also located a loaded Taurus .40-caliber handgun on the covered rear porch of the residence.
All items of evidence were photographed, collected, and logged at the Bellefontaine Police Department.
Both Price and Chavis were arrested and transported to the Logan County Jail on a charge of possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 27 grams, a first-degree felony
Investigation continues.
PREVIOUS STORY: Price arrested on felony warrants
A Bellefontaine man wanted on multiple felony warrants was arrested early Wednesday, Jan. 21, following the execution of a warrant in a joint law enforcement effort.
Robert J. Price III, 29, was arrested at approximately 6:56 a.m. after officers executed a warrant at 1000 Garfield Avenue, Lot #70.
According to authorities, officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team were conducting an ongoing investigation when they developed information indicating Price was inside the residence. The Special Response Team was deployed to ensure officer safety and to increase the likelihood of a peaceful resolution.
Prior to the arrival of the full team, response personnel, including Bellefontaine Police K9 Pyro, positioned themselves around the residence. When officers made contact, Price attempted to flee the home on foot. He was quickly confronted by members of the Response Team and surrendered without incident.
Price was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Logan County Jail. He was later transferred to the Shelby County Jail.
Price is facing felony warrants with nationwide extradition for failure to appear for sentencing in Shelby County. Additional charges include trafficking in drugs and possession of criminal tools.
Also assisting at the scene were the Bellefontaine and Lakeview fire departments.
According to a March 2022 report by the Sidney Daily News, Price failed to appear for his scheduled sentencing on Jan. 3, 2022, resulting in the forfeiture of his bond. A warrant for his arrest was issued three days later, on Jan. 6, after he was indicted by the Shelby County Grand Jury on one count of failure to appear.
Price was originally indicted in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred June 10, 2021, and faced charges of drug trafficking involving marijuana and possession of criminal tools, identified as plastic bags. Both charges were fifth-degree felonies.
The grand jury also determined that a Taurus PT809 9mm handgun and $3,528 in cash were subject to forfeiture.
Court records show that on Nov. 24, 2021, Price pleaded guilty to one count of fifth-degree drug trafficking, with the remaining charge dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
The defendant is scheduled to appear for an arraignment hearing at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, in Shelby County Common Pleas Court.
