CHILLICOTHE, OH (April 21, 2025) — A routine traffic stop for heavily tinted windows escalated into a high-speed pursuit and felony arrest Monday night, ending with drug-related charges and a child endangerment investigation, according to Chillicothe Police.
At approximately 10:23 p.m., Officer Jon Campbell initiated a traffic stop on a gray 2014 Chevrolet Malibu with illegal window tint on 7th Street. The vehicle, bearing Ohio license plate HOB1276, was driven by 38-year-old Richard Johnson of Chillicothe. Officer Campbell noted that Johnson appeared nervous and reluctant to retrieve his registration and insurance documents, prompting the officer to request backup and a K-9 unit.
As Officer Caleb Sizemore and K-9 Reg approached the vehicle, Johnson fled the stop, triggering a pursuit through several residential streets. Johnson reportedly ran multiple stop signs and reached speeds of 60 mph before stopping on Knoles Avenue. A felony traffic stop was conducted, and Johnson was taken into custody without further incident.
Inside the vehicle, officers discovered a five-year-old child, identified as Johnson’s son, in the back seat. The child was later released to be Johnson’s girlfriend.
A K-9 sniff of the vehicle led to the discovery of suspicious substances, including a clear baggie with brown powder and a black container with white powder. Johnson initially claimed the powders were his father’s ashes and creatine supplement, though he later admitted to throwing “coke” (cocaine) from the vehicle during the chase.
Officer Sizemore and K-9 Reg conducted a search of the area along Knoles Avenue and located a large plastic bag of suspected narcotics in the grass near 280 Knoles Ave., believed to have been discarded by Johnson during the pursuit. In total, officers recovered narcotics, paraphernalia, and $400 in cash.
Johnson was transported to the Ross County Jail, where he faces charges of failure to comply with a lawful order, endangering children, and possession of drugs. Additional charges for tampering with evidence and drug trafficking are pending lab results and further investigation.
Chillicothe Police encourage anyone with information about drug activity in the area to contact the department anonymously.
