Pike County agencies respond to 'series of emergent events' Thursday morning
On Nov. 16, a series of emergent events took place in Pike County, including separate vehicle pursuits, thefts and gunfire incidents.
First, at 10:29 a.m., the Pike County Sheriff’s Office received a call that a vehicle had allegedly been stolen from a restaurant parking lot in Piketon, with the driver fleeing northbound on U.S. Highway 23 toward Waverly.
A large, coordinated effort by all local law enforcement agencies ensured to locate and apprehend the suspect, driving an allegedly stolen green 2006 Saturn. Additional information was received and relayed by PCSO dispatch that the suspect was a recently released inmate from the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, identified as Zachary Boone, 24, of Cardington.
Moments later, a Waverly gas station reported an alleged robbery by a suspect driving a vehicle fitting the description of the one allegedly stolen Piketon. While further searching, Pike County Court probationary officer Travis Holden spotted the vehicle unoccupied in the parking lot of a different Waverly business.
Shortly after, Officer Holden relayed information to PCSO dispatch that Boone was seen running from the store and had allegedly committed another theft. Waverly Police officers, along with PCSO deputies, continued to pursue Boone in the Saturn on West Second Street.
After a short chase, Boone then crashed near the intersection of Depot Road. He was taken into custody without any further incident and transported to the hospital by Portsmouth Ambulance to tend to his injuries sustained in the accident.
While processing that crash scene, PCSO dispatch received information about reports of gunfire inside a Waverly store in an unrelated incident. Sheriff Tracy Evans, along with Waverly PD officers, quickly responded to the store to investigate.
It was discovered that a 2-year-old had allegedly gotten into the child’s mother’s purse and accidentally discharged the firearm in the store. The Waverly Police Department is investigating this incident, with possible charges pending on the mother. No serious injuries were reported.
Finally, a separate pursuit incident was called into the PCSO by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. At 11:12 a.m., a report was made that OSHP was in pursuit of a red Dodge pickup traveling westbound on Route 32 from Jackson County. The Dodge truck continued to flee into Pike County and turned south on Smokey Hollow Road.
Pike County deputies joined in the pursuit, which took them and OSHP off-road through a wooded area and open field. OSHP units again made intentional contact with the pursued vehicle, where shots were allegedly fired.
The driver of the Dodge truck continued to flee out of the wooded area and back onto Smokey Hollow Road. The driver then drove to a residence on Smokey Hollow Road and fled into the residence.
Sheriff Evans contacted the Pike County Prosecutor’s Office and obtained a search warrant for the residence. OSHP Aviation and the Piketon Fire Department’s drone were deployed for surveillance purposes while processing and signing the search warrant.
After the search warrant was conducted by the Southern Ohio Major Crimes Task Force, Dakota A. Lansing, 36, of Piketon was eventually taken into custody without any further incident. Joint efforts by the OSHP and PCSO processed the residence for evidence and collection. Lansing will be charged with felony fleeing and eluding, felonious assault and held on APA warrants.
Sheriff Evans would like to thank all law enforcement, EMS and fire agencies for their great collaboration and assistance Thursday.