Ironton man charged with vandalism

Published 9:22 am Monday, June 27, 2011

An Ironton man was arrested early Saturday morning in connection with the vandalism of a South Ninth Street apartment; two people were arrested Sunday after callers complained about drug activity and a man involved in an accident in the 3000 block of South Third Street Thursday was charged the following day in connection with that crash.

Brock C. Smith, 29, of 619 S. Ninth St., was charged with vandalism, resisting arrest, obstructing official business and possession of drug abuse instruments. He was taken to the Lawrence County Jail.

At approximately 5:29 a.m. Saturday, Ironton police were summoned to the 700 block of South Ninth Street after callers said a man was breaking windows out of an apartment there. Officers Brian Pauley and John Hammonds reportedly found Smith there and holding an unknown object in his hand. When Smith saw the officers he allegedly fled on foot with both officers in pursuit, one on foot and the other in a vehicle.

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“I continued on South 10th Street and the suspect ran down the hill towards S. Ninth Street and that is when officer Hammonds deployed his Tazer, to no effect,” Pauley wrote in his report.

Deputy Don Battise of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office joined in the pursuit and used his Tazer against Smith, according to the report, again with no effect. At one point during the chase Battise fell and injured his knee.

Smith reportedly ran into his house and locked the door. The officers gained entry into the residence and reportedly found Smith “attempting to climb into the ceiling in a back room,” Pauley wrote in his report. Smith reportedly fought with officers while being arrested and handcuffed. A hypodermic needle was found in his pocket when he was arrested.

Smith reportedly told officers he broke the windows out of the apartment because someone there owed him money and said he ran from police because he is on probation and did not want to go back to prison.

Battise was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his knee injury.

On Sunday, police received a call of drug activity in the 700 block of Quincy Street. Brittany S. Sudderth, of 207 Second St. E., South Point, was charged with possession of drugs and released. George K. Yancey, of 819 S. Seventh St., Ironton, was arrested on an outstanding warrant and taken to jail.

A man who struck a Patriot Ambulance while traveling in the 3000 block of South Third Street Thursday was charged Friday with driving left of center and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Richard L. Heaberlin, 41, of 204 Rose St., Ironton, was one of four people injured in that incident. He and two emergency medical technicians were taken to a local hospital, along with a patient the ambulance was transporting when the accident occurred.