On 23 Jun 2022 at approximately 2100 hours Deputy Gainer and Sgt. Schwendeman were dispatched to the area of 940 Watertown Road in reference to a private property crash at that location. A Spectrum employee was repairing a utility box that had been damaged. The utility box was located on the side of the road, however at the back edge of a field of the property.  It was reported that the operator of the tractor confronted him and was cursing at him, as he believed the utility box was on his own property.  Deputies met with the employee and observed the male subject on the tractor continue to plow the nearby field. Deputies made multiple attempts to get the operator of the tractor to stop, including walking across the field shining flashlights at the operator, activating overhead emergency lights, and even activating the siren on cruisers when the tractor was driving nearby. At one point the driver of the tractor drove within 20 yards of our location, however ignored our presence in the field.  At approximately 2209 hours the driver approached the deputy’s location and deputies were able to observe a male, later identified as Chad Harra, operating the farm equipment.  Harra was asked to come down from the tractor to speak with deputies, which he refused to do, saying he was on his own property. Harra eventually climbed off the tractor.  Harra became argumentative while deputies were attempting to identify him, refusing to give his name, stating he had no ID on him.  Harra would not provide his social security number or date of birth, only wanting to complain about the Spectrum employee being on his property to fix the utility box.  While speaking with Harra his eyes appeared glassy and bloodshot, he was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred. An open can of Busch Light beer was observed on the floorboard of the tractor and when asked how much he had been drinking that night he said it did not matter, as he was on his own property. Harra was asked to submit to a standardized field sobriety test, which he refused to do, and stated he was not leaving his property.  Harra then complied with some tests, however was not able to follow instructions enough to complete the test, nor was he able to follow simple commands.  Harra was advised that he was being placed under arrest for suspicion of OVI with him stating, “I’m not under arrest”, multiple times.  Deputies gave multiple commands to Harra to place his hands behind his back which he refused to comply with, actively resisting deputies when they were attempting to handcuff him.  Deputies and Harra ended up on the ground, in which he was ultimately placed in handcuffs and secured in the patrol car before being transported to the Washington County Jail.  A PBT at the jail gave a reading of .192 at 2337 hours.  Chad Alan Harra, age 37, 14360 State Route 339, Waterford, OH, was charged with OVI, obstructing official business, and resisting arrest.

On 24 Jun 2022 Lt. Gherke was on patrol near Way Road when a vehicle was observed with no functioning tail lights.  A traffic stop was made on the SUV, with the driver being Timothy McKinley.  A check through dispatch revealed McKinley was under suspension for driving.  A citation was issued to McKinley, age 25, 3009 Calder Ridge Road, Belpre, OH, for driving under suspension.

On 25 Jun 2022 Deputy Davis began an investigation into a vehicle being keyed/damaged on Clement Avenue. 

On 25 Jun 2022 Lt. Hunter was dispatched to 27335 State Route 7 Lot 17,  Marietta Township to a report of Warren Ritchie assaulting an individual.  Ritchie appeared extremely intoxicated, slurring his speech with a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. Ritchie advised he had no idea what happened other than an argument between himself and the individual there once she poured out his alcohol.  After completing the investigation Warren C. Ritchie, age 66, was placed under arrest for assault and transported to the Washington County Jail. 

The following subject(s) were processed into the Washington County Jail 27 June 2022:

Todd Daniel Weddle, age 53, Marietta, OH, disrupting public service, a felony.

There are currently 17 female inmates and 96 male inmates being housed in the Washington County Jail