CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A Chillicothe man has been charged with kidnapping after allegedly assaulting and attempting to abduct his ex-partner.
Zachary Welch, 36, of Chillicothe was taken into custody on Wednesday, March 8, following an incident outside a medical facility on Water Street.
Police arrived at the scene after receiving a call from a woman who said she had been attacked by Welch. The victim told police that she was driving her van with Welch when he became upset and began pulling her hair. Out of fear, the woman said, she pulled into a parking lot to get away, but Welch climbed over her and allegedly began choking her, causing her to lose consciousness.
The woman went on to tell officers that she managed to punch Welch in the mouth and jump out of the van when he stopped to ask for directions, running to a nearby medical facility for help.
Officers said Welch was found to be erratic in mood, going from calm to crying to becoming easily angered.
When police arrived to arrest Welch, he reportedly became combative and tried to escape twice. During the struggle, officers said, Welch slammed his head into a door frame, causing injury to himself. Welch was charged with Kidnapping, Escape, Resisting Arrest, and Obstructing Official Business. He remains in custody at the Ross County Jail on a $75,000 bond.
*Article has been updated to include new details from the Chillicothe Police Department.
