Suspicious Vehicle Following Woman Leads Chillicothe Police to Two Arrests, Drugs Allegedly Hidden in Sock

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CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A report of a suspicious vehicle allegedly following a woman through a Chillicothe neighborhood led to two arrests and the discovery of suspected illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia on October 25, 2026.

According to a Chillicothe Police Department report, officers were dispatched to the area of 49 South Douglas Avenue after receiving information about a black Dodge Journey reportedly following a woman walking northbound along Douglas Avenue. The vehicle was described as having two mattresses strapped to its roof.

Officer Joseph Gay located a vehicle matching that description traveling westbound on East Main Street. As the vehicle turned onto North Watt Street, Gay initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of Watt and East Water streets.

Police identified the driver as Benjamin Browning and the passenger as Lauren Valentine. After checking Browning’s information, dispatch advised officers that he had active warrants through Chillicothe Municipal Court.

Browning was ordered out of the vehicle, taken into custody, and placed in a police cruiser.

While speaking with Valentine, Officer Kyle Curry reportedly observed a scale sitting above the vehicle’s radio. According to the report, Curry recognized the scale as one commonly associated with drug paraphernalia.

After Valentine exited the vehicle, officers observed aluminum foil inside her purse. When questioned about its purpose, Valentine reportedly stated that it came from a sandwich.

Officers subsequently observed a glass pipe containing burnt residue in the front passenger area where Valentine had been sitting. Valentine was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

During a search of the vehicle, officers reportedly discovered two straws containing white residue inside a purse on the passenger-side floorboard. Police also located a plastic bag containing a white crystal-like substance near the center console in the rear seating area.

According to the report, neither Browning nor Valentine claimed ownership of the bag containing the suspected drugs.

The suspected substance was identified as potentially illegal narcotics and was scheduled to be submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for laboratory testing.

Both individuals were transported to the Ross County Jail. Before entering the jail, officers again asked whether either individual possessed anything illegal. Both reportedly denied having contraband.

However, while Browning was being processed into the jail, a plastic bag containing a white powdery substance was reportedly discovered inside his sock.

Police documented the additional discovery as a separate incident involving suspected illegal conveyance of drugs into a detention facility.

The police report lists offenses involving drug paraphernalia, suspected possession of Schedule I or II drugs, illegal conveyance of drugs into a detention facility, and an outstanding warrant. The report does not establish that every listed offense resulted in a formal charge against both individuals.

Both Browning and Valentine were advised of a Chillicothe Municipal Court appearance scheduled for October 26, 2026, at 9 a.m.

The investigation remains subject to further proceedings, including laboratory testing of the suspected substances.

All individuals accused of criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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