Highland County Sheriff's Report

Sheriff Donnie Barrera reports for the week of May 11-17, the Highland County Sheriff’s Office received 421 911 calls, answered 173 requests for service, dispatched 117 fire and EMS runs, took 30 offense reports and investigated five traffic crashes.

The Sheriff’s Office received a call from the staff at a local medical facility at 10:29 p.m. on May 11, reporting a patient there was being treated for injuries suffered during a domestic assault in Fairfield Township. A deputy met with the victim, and a report was taken. An arrest warrant for domestic violence was filed for Paul E. Howard of Leesburg. Howard was taken into custody on May 13 and was transported to the Highland County Justice Center.

At 4:48 p.m. on May 12, the Sheriff’s Office received a domestic disturbance call from a residence on North Shore Drive. The caller reported a male at that location breaking furniture and throwing it toward the roadway. Deputies arrived on scene and arrested Gary D. Wright for menacing and persistent disorderly conduct.

A Brushcreek Township trustee called the Sheriff’s Office at 3:50 p.m. on May 14 after discovering the theft of a sign at a construction site on Milburn Road. A deputy took a report, and the incident remains under investigation.

At 1:44 p.m. on May 16, the Sheriff’s Office received two calls of an armed male suspect who stole a weed trimmer and threatened to kill several people at two different Dodson Township residences. A vehicle description was obtained, and a deputy responded to investigate and make a report. While the deputy was on scene, the suspect drove past and tried to flee. After a short pursuit, the deputy was able to get the vehicle stopped and took the suspect into custody. A loaded firearm was recovered from the vehicle. Chaz Michael McKinney of Lynchburg was transported to the Highland County Justice Center, where he faces multiple charges, including menacing, OVI and improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.