Police headlines

3 charged in fireworks display

Three men pleaded not guilty to charges in what Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly called the biggest unsanctioned fireworks display his department dealt with this year, and a deputy was burned slightly by falling debris while trying to stop it, according to a report.

A deputy who was patrolling the Moorefield Twp. area Wednesday night came upon an amateur fireworks display at 3044 Mechanicsburg Road and attempted to stop the three men from lighting more, but a video camera the he was wearing showed they initially did not listen to his commands.

The deputy was almost hit several times by fireworks and was slightly burned by falling debris, according to his report.

He requested help and was assisted by law enforcement from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Buck Creek State Park in controlling the approximately 250 people who had gathered to watch.

John P. Derr, 21, of 120 N. Kensington Place, and Michael S. Sweeney, 26, and Kevin P. Sweeney, 20, both of 3044 Mechanicsburg Road, were each charged with one count of possessing fireworks and one count of discharging fireworks, both first degree misdemeanors.

The three pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday in Clark County Municipal Court. Additional charges are pending, Kelly said. STAFF REPORT

Champaign man charged in illegal burn

Jason M. Crabtree, 23, of 2218 Kiser Lake Road in Johnson Twp., will face a court date on July 18 after he was charged with a single count of inducing panic after he was accused of burning a trailer for scrap metal.

According to information from the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, firefighters responded to a blaze in the 2200 block of Kiser Lake Road on June 14. St. Paris police officials also responded to the scene and discovered the fire was a vacant mobile home that Crabtree was burning to scrap.

Firefighters used more than 1,500 gallons of water to put out the fire and were out of service for an hour. Matt Melvin, Champaign County sheriff, said Crabtree was charged with the first-degree misdemeanor because the fire was set at night, without the proper permits, and because of the inconvenience to first responders. No one was injured during the incident. Residents are asked to contact the local fire department before starting any kind of burn. STAFF REPORT

Semi jackknifes on I-70

Traffic was delayed on eastbound Interstate 70 in Clark County Monday morning after a semi tractor-trailer jackknifed in Mad River Twp.

The crash, which occurred just east of Ohio 4, was reported about 8:10 a.m.

Fuel reportedly leaked from the semi. STAFF REPORT

About the Author