Police chase ends in arrest of Portsmouth man
On 03/13/2018, at approximately 1924 hours, Officers with the Portsmouth Police Department, assigned to a target enforcement detail, attempted to make a traffic stop on a blue 2015 Chrysler 200. Officers initiated a traffic stop in the 1700 block of Kendall Ave. The vehicle stopped momentarily to let a passenger out and then immediately fled from the traffic stop. The vehicle pursuit left the Kendall Heights area, onto Pleasant Hill, and into New Boston. During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle reach speeds in excess of 90 mph, passed vehicles on the wrong side of the road, and drove the wrong direction on a one way street. The pursuit ended when the suspect vehicle was forced onto Pennsylvania Ave. where he drove off a hillside and stuck a vacant home.
The driver was taken into custody as he was trying to flee from the vehicle. The driver was identified as Damar Arnold. Mr. Arnold had in his front pocket a loaded Glock handgun. Officers also recovered, from the vehicle, a large plastic bag that contained individual wrapped substances. The substances are suspected to be 4 grams of crack cocaine and 5 grams of methamphetamine. Mr. Arnold has numerous felony convictions which prohibit him from possessing a firearm, including an aggravated robbery conviction in June 2005.
Mr. Arnold was treated and released at Southern Ohio Medical Center. Mr. Arnold was processed and lodged in the Scioto County Jail. Mr. Arnold is a 32 year old male who listed his address as homeless in Portsmouth. Mr. Arnold was charged with the below listed charges.
- Trafficking in Drugs Schedule I or II (Felony 3)
- Having a weapon while under a disability (Felony 3)
- Failure to comply with the order of police officer (Felony 3)
- Carrying a concealed weapon (Felony 4)
- Trafficking in drugs, cocaine (Felony 5)
The suspected narcotics will be sent to BCI&I for identification. This case will be presented to the Scioto County Grand Jury for additional charges. The Portsmouth Police Department was assisted by the New Boston Police Department.
