CHILLICOTHE, OH – A local man is facing charges of breaking and entering after police responded to a report of suspicious activity at the former Payless store located at 531 E. Main Street on the evening of April 9.
According to the Chillicothe Police Department, officers were dispatched to the address around 8:18 p.m. following a report of a possible burglary in progress. Upon arrival, Officer Christopher Althouse checked the perimeter of the building and found all doors locked with no immediate signs of forced entry.
While investigating, Officer Althouse made contact with a group of people near the adjacent Mister Sub, including a man, who had placed the call to authorities. Witnesses stated they saw three individuals in the parking lot, with one person allegedly entering the vacant business through a side door.
Shortly after, another individual, arrived on scene and informed police that the building had recently been purchased by Integrated Services and was undergoing remodeling. The man attempted to enter the building using a code but was unsuccessful.
Moments later, Officer Althouse observed a light turn on inside the building and a man wearing a blue overcoat stepped into the hallway. The officer motioned for the individual to come forward, and the man opened the front door. He was identified as Shawn Lyons.
Lyons initially claimed he was permitted to be inside the building to perform a side job, though his story shifted multiple times. He first said he was working on the toilets for a contractor, then later stated he was there to check the lighting. He named a “Paul Newman” as the person who authorized his presence—later determined to be the name of an audiobook narrator whose work Lyons had in his possession.
Lyons had several keys on a lanyard, including one brass key that successfully opened the side door. Inside the building, police found a table with his personal belongings and numerous keys—previously left in various door locks—that Lyons had collected and organized.
The contractor supervisor for the building’s renovations, arrived and confirmed that all contract work was complete and that Lyons was not affiliated with their operations. He stated Lyons was not authorized to be in the building and should not have had access to any keys.
As a result, Lyons was arrested and charged with breaking and entering. He was also formally barred from the premises at the request of Integrated Services.
A search of Lyons’ possessions uncovered several items belonging to other individuals, including a Visa card, an Ohio Direct card, and medical paperwork all from different people. Police are working to return those items to their rightful owners.
Lyons was transported to the Ross County Jail and is scheduled to appear in Chillicothe Municipal Court on April 10 at 9:00 a.m.
The investigation is ongoing.
