CHILLICOTHE, OH — On December 21, 2024, local police responded to reports of an overdose at the McDonald’s located at 1124 E Main Street. The incident escalated when a witness, Jeremy Collins, reported that a white male had allegedly overdosed in the restaurant’s bathroom and had assaulted him upon being assisted.
According to Collins, as he helped the man, identified as Lee Stephens, the suspect punched him in the face before fleeing the scene on a red or pink bicycle, heading south on Rennick Avenue.
Officers quickly patrolled the area and spotted Stephens in front of Chillicothe Trucks. He was detained for the alleged assault. During the encounter, Stephens was found to be in possession of a piece of foil with burn marks and residue, which he admitted was used for heroin.
After being read his Miranda rights, Stephens denied the assault but explained that he had sought refuge in the McDonald’s bathroom to escape the cold due to his homelessness. Following a probable cause search, officers discovered additional drug paraphernalia on him, including multiple pieces of foil, a tie-off used for injecting drugs, and a syringe containing an unknown liquid.
Although Collins chose not to press charges against Stephens, he requested that the suspect be barred from returning to McDonald’s. As a result, Stephens was issued two summonses for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of drug instruments, with a court date set for December 30, 2024, at 9:00 AM. He was also informed that returning to the McDonald’s would result in charges of criminal trespass.
All evidence collected, including the syringe, was properly documented and secured, with the syringe disposed of in a sharps container. Officers noted that Stephens has a prior conviction for possession of drug instruments, which may elevate the charges against him.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
