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2 men arrested after alleged crime spree in Scioto County

By
Scioto County Sheriff's Office, Press Release

Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman announced Tuesday the arrests of a Lucasville man and a Portsmouth man on multiple charges after an alleged crime spree. 

Sheriff Thoroughman reports that his 911 communication center received a call Monday, April 8 at 2:33 p.m. from a resident in the 7000 block of state Route 125 stating that two men were allegedly breaking into her house. After being confronted by the caller’s husband, the two allegedly fled through the rear of the victim’s property in a burgundy Ford Ranger.

Deputies responded and checked the surrounding area for the suspects and initiated an investigation. The victim contacted the Sheriff’s Office Communication Center again at 6:03 p.m., stating that she had located the truck in a driveway on state Route 104 in Lucasville. Deputies responded, along with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and detained a male suspect.

Detectives were able to interview several witnesses, to include some of the victims, which resulted in a second male suspect being identified. Detectives contacted the Portsmouth Police Department and requested them to check an area motel for the second suspect. The second suspect was located at that location, and Scioto County Detectives responded and conducted a search of the motel room.

Detectives were able to recover a number of allegedly stolen items at the state Route 104 location, to include several 4-wheelers, a motorcycle, a 16-foot trailer, tools, camping items, deer heads, riding lawn mower, jewelry, appliances and other miscellaneous items. 

Arrested was Brandon Cantrell, 41, of Lucasville. Cantrell was charged with three counts of burglary, a felony of the second degree; two counts of breaking and entering, a felony of the fifth degree; and two counts of grand theft, a felony of the fourth degree.

Also arrested was Jeremy C. McGhee, 42, homeless of Portsmouth. McGhee has been charged with three counts of burglary, a felony of the second degree; two  counts of breaking and entering, a felony of the fifth degree; two counts of grand theft, a felony of the fourth degree; and a parole violation. 

Sheriff Thoroughman stated that this is still an ongoing investigation involving alleged thefts and burglaries around the western part of Scioto County, which could result in additional charges.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel at 740-351-1091.

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