CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Officers with the Chillicothe Police Department responded to America’s Best Value Inn on reports of illegal drug activity.
The local motel has been plagued with problems for the last several years. The Guardian previously reported on the numerous deaths, murder investigations, overdoses, drug trafficking, and assaults that have occurred. Many in the community have asked for the City of Chillicothe to take steps to shut down the motel.
On Tuesday, officers responded to room number 58. During a knock-and-talk investigation, officers made contact with two women. While in the room, officers observed drug paraphernalia on a nightstand, including plastic baggies, tin foil with burn marks, a digital scale, and a crystalline substance. Both women denied using narcotics or having any narcotics in the room.
However, officers soon discovered a man hiding in the bathroom who provided a false name and social security number. The man, later identified as Mark Warner, had multiple active warrants for his arrest. He was taken into custody and found to have a black book bag in the room.
Upon searching the bag, officers found a black eyeglasses case containing several more plastic baggies, one of which contained a white crystalline substance. This was seized as evidence and will be sent to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) for chemical analysis.
At this time, additional charges are pending the lab results. The case is ongoing as police continue their investigation into the suspicious activity at the local motel.
