On January 11th, a trooper pulled over a rental car with Kentucky plates for a traffic violation. When the trooper was talking to them, they noticed the smell of raw marijuana. After searching the car, they found a magnetic box underneath the vehicle with $27,000 worth of fentanyl in it.
The Patrol’s 170th Academy Class graduated today after 32 weeks of intense training. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine; Director Andy Wilson, Ohio Department of Public Safety; and Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol Superintendent; provided remarks. Major General John C. Harris Jr., Ohio Adjutant General, delivered the commencement address to the 23 members of the Patrol’s 170th Academy Class. Judge Matthew P. Frericks, Marion County Court of Common Pleas, issued the Oath of Office.
At 6 p.m. yesterday, the Ohio State Highway Patrol received a description of the vehicle of an individual believed to be transporting a missing and endangered child. Just before 9 p.m., Wapakoneta Post state troopers stopped a vehicle matching that description in Auglaize County and initiated a traffic stop. The child was found in the vehicle, unharmed, and taken back to Michigan. The suspect was taken into custody and will face charges in Marysville, Michigan.
COLUMBUS, OH (WLIO) - The Ohio State Highway Patrol says they will be out cracking down on drunk drivers this weekend. They say with New Year’s Eve and the Ohio State Buckeye's playing in the National Championship Playoffs on Saturday night, they know that people will be gathering to celebrate both. So, they want drivers to know that troopers and another law enforcement will be out in full forces watching for not only for impaired drivers but other traffic hazards. Last year, there were 12 fatal crashes that killed 12 people, and half of them involved a drug or alcohol impaired drivers. They also made 232 arrests. So, they suggest that you make arraignments to have a designated driver. You can report an impaired driver or drug activity by calling #677.
Locally, Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers were busy during the Christmas travel season. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol 2022 Christmas Holiday Recap just released late Monday Afternoon, state troopers responded to 120 incidents in Allen County and 5 incidents in Putnam County.
The State Highway Patrol is investigating a man that was found dead in a rest area in Van Wert County. According to troopers, 40-year-old Donald Richardson jr. of Lima was found dead in the eastbound rest area on U.S. 30. They discovered his body in a car when that they were doing a check at the rest area. No other details have been released about case that is still under investigation.
On December 6, at 1:31 p.m., troopers stopped a 2019 Ford Taurus with Ohio registration for a window tint violation on the Ohio Turnpike. Criminal indicators were observed and a Patrol drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle. During a probable cause search, tamper marks were observed on the dashboard. Further investigation revealed an after-market modification under the dashboard, which was determined to be a hidden compartment. The compartment was opened and was found to contain five packages of cocaine and United States currency.
Since 2019 there have been 49,785 impaired driving-related crashes on Ohio roadways, killing 2,497 people and injuring 30,280 others. Alcohol and drugs played a role in more than 50 percent of fatal crashes in Ohio. During that same period, troopers removed more than 71,000 impaired drivers from Ohio roadways.
According to provisional statistics, 16 people were killed on Ohio’s roadways this Thanksgiving holiday. During the five-day reporting period, from Wednesday, November 23 at midnight through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 27, 16 people were killed in 15 fatal crashes. In 2021, there were 14 fatal crashes in which 17 people were killed.
The Lima Police Department says the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of their busiest days for OVI arrests, as many people head to bars to visit with friends before the holidays. According to stats from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, last year statewide there were over 300 OVI arrests over the Thanksgiving weekend. So, for the safety of yourself and others, officers say to find a designated driver to make sure you get home for the holiday.
