Chillicothe Woman Barred From Store Over Outlet Use, Then Arrested on a Warrant

- Advertisement -

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A Chillicothe woman was barred from a store Thursday after police say she unplugged the store’s electronics to charge her own items, and she was arrested minutes later on an outstanding warrant.

Chillicothe police were called to Smoker Friendly at Central Center at 12:11 p.m. on October 22 for a disturbance. According to the police report, the store manager told an officer that Laura L. Johnson, 54, had been unplugging business electronics and using the outlets to charge her personal items, and that she became belligerent when asked about it. The manager said Johnson left when she was asked to leave.

The officer found Johnson standing with a bicycle near Dollar General. According to the report, Johnson admitted using the outlets but said she left with no problems when asked. At the manager’s request, Richardson told Johnson she was barred from Smoker Friendly and released her.

While clearing the scene, the officer learned Johnson had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear, with an original charge of assault. He found her again near the Chillicothe High School football field, confirmed her identity, and placed her under arrest. She was taken to the Ross County Jail and booked on the warrant, held in lieu of bond, with a court appearance set for Friday, October 23.

A warrant is an accusation that a court date was missed, not a conviction. The underlying assault charge remains an accusation as well, and Johnson is innocent until proven guilty in court.

Send a tip or correction to info@heritageheadlines.com.

Get the morning stories.

- Advertisement -