CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A minor theft incident in Chillicothe escalated into charges of escape, obstruction, and illegal conveyance.
The incident unfolded yesterday when officers from the police department responded to a call at Menard’s on North Bridge Street. As per the police report obtained by the Guardian, store employees alerted officers that a man had taken and concealed a Gerber Knife. The individual proceeded past all points of sale but was apprehended by store staff.
The suspect, identified as Michael Halterman Sr., prompted Menards employees to inform officers that he was not acting alone, accompanied by a male and a female. Store loss prevention personnel indicated that the male companion had also concealed a Gerber Knife after opening its package. Officers confronted the male, who reportedly discarded the knife. Both the male and female suspects were taken to the Loss Prevention area.
At this point, the male suspect, later identified as Ronald Anderson Sr., allegedly became belligerent and uncooperative with the police. Anderson provided officers with multiple false names and attempted to flee the office before being restrained. Meanwhile, the female companion, identified as Tawyna Mosley, was arrested for obstruction. A search of her purse revealed several needles, a glass pipe, and a crystal rock substance.
Halterman received a summons for theft and was released from the scene. However, Mosley and Anderson were transported to the Ross County Jail by officers. According to the report, Anderson made threats to urinate in the patrol car and continued to verbally abuse the officer during the journey. Upon arrival at the jail, Anderson allegedly refused to exit the cruiser, prompting staff to deploy a taser to subdue him. Despite this, he resisted, and it was discovered that he had concealed a handcuff key in his lip, which he used to free himself. Staff eventually managed to detain Anderson.
Anderson faces charges of criminal mischief, obstruction, escape, illegal conveyance, and domestic violence, alongside three outstanding felony warrants from various counties and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.
Mosley faces charges of obstruction, possession of drug abuse instruments, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The police department stated that additional charges against the pair may be pending.
EDITOR’S NOTE: All information for this story came directly from the report provided by the Chillicothe Police Department.
