CHILLICOTHE, OH – On June 17, 2024, two men were arrested in connection with drug dealing activities at the Valero gas station on East 2nd Street. The Chillicothe Police Department responded to a report of narcotics being dealt from a brown Honda CRV parked in the lot.
Upon arrival, officers observed the vehicle with several occupants. The officer approached the driver, identified as Donald Marcum, who was seen frantically shoving items into a black bag on his lap. Despite orders to stop and put his hands in the air, Marcum continued to fumble with the bag. The officer then opened the driver’s door, at which point Marcum threw the bag to a female passenger, Reba Chaffins, who subsequently dropped it on the ground.
During the encounter, Marcum fled on foot, leading to a chase. The officer pursued Marcum, who slipped in wet grass, allowing the officer to apprehend him. Marcum resisted arrest, forcing the officer to apply a wrist lock for compliance. After a struggle, Marcum was detained and escorted to a patrol car.
Meanwhile, the other subjects in the vehicle fled the scene, a witness, identified the rear passenger as Charles Leroy Griffieth. A tow truck was dispatched to impound the Honda CRV, and a search of the vehicle revealed multiple illegal substances. Officers found a bag containing two plastic bags with white and pinkish powder, a used syringe, and a prescription bottle labeled for Someone else. Additional contraband, including a tan/brown cube of a hard substance, another syringe, and a phone in a leopard case, were discovered during the search.
The officer, who also responded to the scene, arrested Bradley Harris, who had multiple warrants. and assisted in securing the suspect vehicle and located more drugs and paraphernalia, including a Crown Royal bag containing a hard crystal substance.
Witness provided a statement describing a known addict conducting hand-to-hand transactions at the Honda CRV before police arrived. All evidence was collected and processed.
Marcum was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing official business, and possession of drug abuse instruments. Harris was transported to jail for his outstanding warrants. Both suspects are in custody, awaiting further legal proceedings.
