Ohio police arrest man after he fired a weapon at police; Found with suspected drugs

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio (WTRF) — A Washington, Pennsylvania man was arrested in St. Clairsville, Ohio, after police say they received a report that he made threats to shoot someone and was possibly in possession of drugs and a handgun.

According to officials with the St. Clairsville Police Department, officers were notified around 12:40 p.m. on Friday that the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office was on the lookout for 25-year-old Aaron Ryon Lechner, a white male with blond hair, black pants, and no shirt.

Officials say they were advised that he may have been spotted on Crescent Road heading towards St. Clairsville.

Two patrol units responded to the area, with a third en route, when officials say a male matching the description was spotted near the intersection of Talbot and Legion Road.

According to officials, the unit stopped Lechner, who was now riding a bicycle he had stolen from a yard on Greentree Road.

Officials say Lechner refused to cooperate with officers and led officers on a foot chase up Talbot Road.

Lechner cut behind a vehicle and turned towards an officer who said Lechner had his hand in his pants. The officer commanded him to stop and put his hands up, but Lechner retreated further back into the wood line and fired his weapon.

A Belmont County deputy spotted Lechner on the other side of the wood line, where the shot was fired after multiple additional officers and deputies arrived on the scene.

The deputy commanded Lechner to the ground at gunpoint. Officials say Lechner then complied and was taken into custody.

The handgun was located in a creek bed between where Lechner is believed to have fired and where he was taken into custody.

Officials say the weapon matched the distinct description of the gun Lechner was reported to have been carrying.

Officials say Lechner was in possession of a bulk amount of suspected methamphetamine.

He was transported to Belmont Co. Jail and charged with felonious assault, trafficking in drugs, possession of drugs, weapons under disability, and theft.

Officials say no officers were injured, and no immediate damage resulting from the gunshot was located.

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