CHILLICOTHE, OH — An assault investigation on Vine Street led to the arrest of a 56-year-old male following a violent altercation on January 31, 2024. The incident began when officers were dispatched to 359 Vine Street in response to an assault report.
Upon arrival, officers found a man, bleeding from injuries to his face. The Man, who was later transported to Adena Hospital for medical treatment, told police that he had been biking near 304 Vine Street when he was pursued by Marland Eugene Thomas II. He claimed that while trying to evade Thomas, he lost balance and was knocked off his bike by Thomas, who then allegedly pinned him to the ground and attacked him with a weapon. He described the weapon as a wooden stick with metal spikes, chains, and balls, which he said Thomas used to strike him in the head and face.
After a brief struggle, He told police was able to wrestle the weapon away and flee the scene. He told officers that he had no prior issues with Thomas, despite having visited his residence twice before without incident. Photographs of the injuries and the weapon were collected as evidence.
Officers later attempted to make contact with Thomas at his residence, but he was not present. Bloodstains were observed in the alley behind 314 Vine Street, and while no cameras were found in the area, investigators photographed the scene.
The weapon used in the assault was secured as evidence and placed in the Chillicothe Police Department’s evidence locker. Police then began preparations to file charges, with the intention of seeking a warrant for Felonious Assault based on the severity of Ward’s injuries and the nature of the weapon.
In a twist, later that same day, Thomas appeared at Chillicothe Municipal Court for a pretrial on a separate case. Officers, aware of the active warrant for his arrest, took him into custody at the courthouse. Thomas was transported to the Ross County Jail, where he is being held pending bond. He is scheduled for a court appearance on February 3, 2025, for the new charges related to the assault.
The investigation into the assault remains ongoing.
