CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A welfare check near Bridge and Riverside streets turned into a foot chase and physical struggle Tuesday evening after a man with two active warrants allegedly fought with a Chillicothe police officer and continued resisting after being tased, according to a police report.
John Allen Diehl, 28, was arrested on August 18 following the incident. He was charged with resisting arrest and obstructing official business in addition to being taken into custody on two outstanding warrants.
According to the Chillicothe Police Department report, Officer Jonathan Davis was dispatched to the area around 4:30 p.m. for a welfare check involving a man reportedly sitting near the end of the North Bridge Street bridge with a case of beer.
Davis reported finding Diehl and observing approximately five empty Budweiser bottles or cans along with a 12-pack containing alcohol. According to the officer, Diehl smelled of an alcoholic beverage.
After obtaining Diehl’s Social Security number and checking his information, Davis reported discovering two active warrants — a Capias warrant related to a probation violation and a Failure to Appear warrant from Ross County involving an obstructing official business case.
Police said dispatch confirmed both warrants were active.
According to Davis’ report, he informed Diehl he was under arrest and placed one handcuff on his right wrist. Diehl allegedly “immediately tensed up” and attempted to pull away.
Davis reported grabbing Diehl and ordering him to stop resisting. During the struggle, the officer said Diehl was pushed to the concrete but continued physically resisting and eventually turned and ran east on Riverside Street.
Davis pursued him on foot while repeatedly ordering him to stop, according to the report.
The officer then deployed his Taser. Davis reported the first cartridge was ineffective, prompting him to discharge a second cartridge, which successfully incapacitated Diehl and caused him to fall headfirst onto the roadway.
Police said Diehl continued refusing commands to place his hands behind his back and later attempted to get back up and run again. Davis reported activating the Taser again, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
The chase continued on foot before Davis caught up with Diehl, tackled him to the ground and continued struggling with him until another Chillicothe police officer arrived. Diehl was then secured in handcuffs.
Medics responded and determined Diehl needed stitches for a laceration near his right eye. He was transported to Adena Regional Medical Center, where the report states he received four stitches before being cleared for transport to jail.
Diehl was subsequently transported to the Ross County Jail and booked on charges of resisting arrest and obstructing official business, along with the two outstanding warrants.
The allegations contained in the police report are accusations. Diehl is presumed innocent of the new charges unless proven guilty in court.
