Ross County, OH – On July 21, 2024, a Ross County Deputy responded to a reported burglary at a cabin located on Reub Hill Road at Blain Highway in Ross County. Upon arrival, Deputy Stanley encountered two witnesses, who had detained two individuals out of four involved in the incident.
The suspects, later identified as Tyler Freeman and Avant Hector, were immediately placed in handcuffs by the Deputy. Avant Hector, who had a dark red backpack, was detained for further investigation. Tyler Freeman was placed in the rear of the Deputy’s cruiser.
According to statements from witnesses the four individuals, including Tyler, Avant, and two others, had been floating down Paint Creek on tubes. They later approached the two witnesses for directions back to the roadway before leaving. Upon returning to their cabin after fishing, the witnesses found the front door glass shattered, the door open, and a fire extinguisher discharged inside, covering the cabin in powder. They detained Tyler and Avant and contacted law enforcement.
During questioning, Tyler Freeman displayed signs of intoxication and admitted to being heavily intoxicated at the time of the incident. He initially stated he did not know the identity of the other male and only knew the female by her first name. Avant Hector corroborated Tyler’s account of their activities leading up to the incident but claimed ignorance regarding the burglary.
Deputies conducted a search of Avant Hector’s backpack and found stolen items including playing cards, canned foods, jello, popcorn, crackers, peanut butter, and macaroni and cheese cups. Additionally, a glass pipe for smoking marijuana and a THC cartridge were discovered and collected as evidence.
Further investigation at the cabin revealed a broken front door window, a fire extinguisher on the floor, and a large rock believed to have been used to break the window. Items from Avant Hector’s backpack matched those found missing from the cabin’s kitchen.
Tyler Freeman was subsequently transported to Ross County Jail for disorderly intoxication, and Avant Hector was charged with burglary. The owner of the cabin expressed intent to pursue charges related to the incident.
Deputy’s, continued to investigate the incident, which led to additional charges against Tyler Freeman for obstructing official business. Efforts to locate the remaining suspects involved in the incident are ongoing.
Pending further investigation and the submission of property damage estimates, the case remains active.
