CHILLICOTHE, OH — Two individuals were arrested on January 25, 2025, after police recovered a stolen U-Haul truck and found drugs during a traffic stop.
Police were first alerted to the stolen vehicle, a 15-foot U-Haul box truck, which had been taken from 800 Block of Madison Ave. around 8 p.m. The vehicle, which had been parked outside the residence while the owner was moving in, was reported missing shortly after its owner heard a loud noise outside and discovered it was gone.
Officers quickly entered the vehicle into the LEADS system as stolen, and later that night, Officer Ryan McCoy spotted a U-Haul matching the description on Columbus St. The vehicle was seen turning onto McArthur Gardens, where McCoy followed it and requested backup. Upon stopping the vehicle, McCoy observed the driver, identified as Michael Gabbert, and the passenger, Kayla Sanders, exiting the truck.
Both individuals were ordered to stop and get on the ground, at which point they complied. Gabbert and Sanders were detained and placed in separate patrol vehicles. During a search of Gabbert, police found an unknown substance that he identified as a mix of methamphetamine and cocaine, along with foil that had been used for drugs. Further investigation of the U-Haul turned up a pink straw containing white residue.
Both Gabbert and Sanders were read their Miranda rights and arrested. Sanders was also found to have an outstanding theft warrant. The stolen U-Haul was returned to its original renter.
Gabbert was transported to the Ross County Jail, where he was booked on drug-related charges. Sanders was also taken to jail, where she was served with her theft warrant. All drug-related items found on Gabbert were placed into evidence to be destroyed.
The stolen vehicle was removed from the LEADS system, and both suspects are now in the custody of the Ross County Jail.
The investigation is ongoing.
