CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A dispute over a gift card at a local Subway restaurant escalated into threats and resulted in a Chillicothe woman being charged with aggravated menacing. The incident occurred on November 23, 2024, at the Subway located at 161 N. Bridge Street.
According to a police report, officers were dispatched to the location following a report of threats made by a customer. Upon arrival, law enforcement spoke with witnesses, as well as the store manager.
Witnesses stated that the customer, later identified as 37-year-old Victoria Stafford, attempted to pay with a gift card. However, an employee, according to the police report, mistakenly processed the card as a rewards card and told Stafford it could not be used for payment. Stafford left the store to search her car for alternative payment.
Stafford later returned through the drive-thru, where an employee attempted to explain the error, confirming that the gift card could be processed. According to witness accounts, Stafford became irate, accusing the employee of stealing the gift card and making alarming statements. Witnesses allege Stafford told one employee “If you value your life, give me my money back,” and threatened to “shoot up Subway” while promising to return later that evening.
The employee, officers said, corroborated the witnesses’ accounts, expressing fear for her safety. The manager informed officers that she wanted Stafford barred from all five Subway locations in Chillicothe.
Contact with the Suspect
Officers located Victoria Stafford at her residence on North Sugar Street. After being read her Miranda Rights, Stafford admitted to making some of the statements out of anger, including the comment about Christa valuing her life. However, she denied threatening to “shoot up Subway.”
Due to consistent witness and victim statements, Stafford was charged with aggravated menacing. Given her reported medical condition—officers determined that she would be issued a summons rather than being taken into custody. Stafford was also informed that she is barred from all five Chillicothe Subway locations and could face criminal trespass charges if she returns to any of them.
Court Date Set
Stafford was issued a summons for aggravated menacing and is scheduled to appear in Chillicothe Municipal Court on December 6, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.