Ross County — The Grand Jury returned all 15 of their cases Friday, December 1st, 2023, with four open for release to the public. From testimony in the the grand jury in two of the cases, according to the Ross County Prosecutor’s Office:
Shortly after noon on December 22th, Chillicothe police officers were dispatched to Kohl’s off North Bridge Street in regards to a theft. After being given a description of the suspects and vehicle, they located the car and began pursuit.
The driver did not stop, and found his way to Western Avenue, then reached speeds up to 100 miles an hour as they headed west on US Route 50. After reaching 85 miles an hour in Bainbridge, an officer attempted a “pit maneuver” to stop the car but the driver successfully swerved to avoid.
After turning south onto State Route 41 and reaching 90 miles an hour, the driver crashed the car on a curve and the passenger ran.
The driver, 36-year-old Tejon J. Randall of McDermott, Ohio, was detained. He said he had a weapon in his pants pocket, and a .22 long-rifle pistol was secured. He said he did not want to talk about Kohl’s.
The items reported stolen from Kohl’s were found in the vehicle, along with a loaded 9mm handgun on the passenger floorboard.
The passenger, 37-year-old Donte Jerome Smith of Columbus, was caught and detained.
He said the Kohl’s items were purchased, and that Randall had thrown the handgun on the floorboard. Smith said he had told Randall to let him out, but Randall would not because he said there were guns in the car.
Smith has a prior conviction for domestic violence, and Randall has a prior drug conviction.
Drugs were apparently found in the car, possibly methamphetamine, and results are pending…which could add to the indictments.
Randall was indicted on:
- Robbery, a second-degree felony penalty with up to eight years and a $15,000 fine
- Failure to comply with an order or signal from an officer, a second-degree felony with up to three years and a $10,000 fine
- Having a weapon under disability, a second-degree felony with up to three years and a $10,000 fine
- Theft, with a fifth-degree felony with up to one year and a $2,500 fine
…for a potential of 15 years and $37,500.
Smith was indicted on:
- Robbery, a second-degree felony penalty with up to eight years and a $15,000 fine
- Theft, with a fifth-degree felony with up to one year and a $2,500 fine
…for a potential of nine years and $17,500. He remains in custody.
