Chillicothe, OH — Ross County deputies stopped a real-life Grinch in his tracks on Saturday, December 21, 2024, when they arrested a man caught in the act of breaking into an occupied home.
According to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, at around 5:00 p.m. that evening, Deputy Dutcher was dispatched to a burglar alarm at Countryside Rentals on South Douglas Avenue in Chillicothe. Upon arriving at the scene, the deputy observed a man wearing a coat and head coverings, using bolt cutters to damage the rear door of the property.
The suspect, later identified as Barry Walls Jr., 41, was immediately taken into custody without further incident. Authorities charged him with several offenses, including Drug Paraphernalia, Possessing Criminal Tools, Resisting Arrest, Criminal Mischief, Vandalism, and Breaking and Entering.
Walls is currently being held without bond at the Ross County Jail and may remain incarcerated until after Christmas, pending further legal proceedings.
Authorities are continuing to investigate, and residents are reminded to remain vigilant about property security during the holiday season.
