A 19-year-old Circleville man faces an assault charge after allegedly threatening police officers and physically resisting arrest outside a local gas station on Sunday afternoon, according to a Circleville Police Department report.
Caden Allyn Steele was arrested around 1:07 p.m. on August 16, 2026, at the Sheetz located at 1395 South Court Street in Circleville. The incident was classified under case R26-02446 as a fight call that led to an assault charge.
According to the investigative report narrative written by Sgt. Mays, officers responded to the location as an agency assist for the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office involving a possible fight. Upon arrival, Sgt. Mays located another officer who had an unidentified male handcuffed on the ground. That officer reported the male had fled after an altercation at Huntington Bank. The man was identified as Steele.
After speaking with Steele, officers determined no physical altercation had occurred at the bank. Steele was released from the handcuffs while the investigation continued. As officers wrapped up their conversations with him, Steele became upset and threatened the officers, stating, “I’m going to shoot you guys,” the report said.
Steele was then advised he was under arrest for the threat. When officers attempted to place wrist restraints on him, Steele began resisting and fighting. Sgt. Mays escorted him to the ground to gain compliance. Once on the ground, Steele flipped onto his back and began punching at officers. He struck one officer in the face and struck Sgt. Mays on the left side of the head, according to the report.
To regain control, Sgt. Mays deployed a duty-issued Taser, striking Steele in the left side of the abdomen. Steele then complied. Officers placed him in double-locked wrist restraints behind his back and checked them for proper fit.
Circleville EMS treated Steele on scene and removed the Taser prongs without incident. He was placed in the rear of Sgt. Daily’s patrol vehicle and taken to Berger Hospital for further evaluation. A use-of-force form was to be completed in the department’s system, the report noted.
Ohio Revised Code 2903.13 defines assault in relevant part as knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm to another. When the victim is a peace officer performing official duties, the offense is elevated to a fourth-degree felony.
