November 27th, 2024. Chillicothe, Ohio. A woman with Huntington's disease reports that a stranger grabbed her wallet near a gas station on Bridge Street and walked off with $20. >> So, you took $20 out of her wallet? >> They belonged to me. They she took from me first and she was cramming it down in her wallet. >> How'd she take $20 from you? >> Because she asked me for a couple of dollars and I had a 20 and two ones and she snatched the $20 and did this. And I was like No, what is it? And hang on a minute. >> All right, honey, this right here is the lady. >> Okay. >> Yeah, she took it from the place like this out of her >> Hi. Hello. Hello. >> Hi. >> What's going on? >> Uh somebody just robbed me and took all the money out of my out of my >> Okay. Where'd this happen? >> Right here. Right on the corner right here. >> Where at? You can just tell me. >> Right on the corner. >> Of this building? >> Uh one of the past the end of the building. >> Okay. How did they end up robbing you and taking your money? Can you describe what happened? >> Well, they asked for a dollar so I gave them a dollar. And then they stole my whole wallet. >> They stole it when you pulled your wallet out? >> And took all the money. >> And you got your wallet back? >> Yeah. Well, yes. >> How much money? Do you know? >> 50, I think. >> What did the person look like? >> Like one girl had like dyed hair and it almost like ratty hair. >> Okay. There's more than one person? >> two. >> There were two people? Were both females or males or >> One male, one female. >> Okay. So, the female Was she white female? >> White. >> Okay. What color was her hair dyed? Do you remember? >> Like her I can't remember, but it almost looked like it was dreaded a little her hair. >> Yeah. How old do you think she was? >> 30. >> What was her build? >> Slim build. >> Was she tall, short? >> Like a little shorter than me. >> Do you remember what clothing she had on? Do you remember what kind of clothing she was wearing? >> I wish I did. >> Okay. What about the guy? Do you remember what he looked like? >> I can't remember. >> Okay. And they asked for your dollar and then they took your wallet. >> And grabbed all the money out of it. >> Just pulled it out of your hands? >> Yep. >> Okay. Did they threaten you at all or harm you in any way? >> Nope. They did not. >> And you said just right around the corner of this building, right? >> That's where that happened. >> Yeah. On the sidewalk or on the actual corner? >> Oh, on the sidewalk. >> So, right there in front of the by the Bridge Street? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Miss Smith, have you drank any alcohol? >> drink. I I have Huntington's disease. >> Okay. >> Do you I don't know if you're familiar with it. >> I was asking cuz I noticed that you >> I was I walk like I I stagger a little. That's cuz I have Huntington's disease. >> Okay. Let me Just hang out with Officer Arbogast. I'm going to go check the cameras. See if I can see anything. This just happened before you went in and talked to the officer. She gave you a description? >> I know. >> Okay. A male and a female. The female had some kind of dyed ready dreaded hair, maybe. Slim, a little shorter than her. The fe- Who grabbed your wallet? The female? >> It was the female. >> They asked for a dollar and then they snatched your wallet and pulled $50 out. What did they do with your wallet after they took it? Did they throw it down? >> They did. I got them. I tried to chase after them, but it's hard because I'm low-handed, I guess. >> All right. You've never seen them before, didn't recognize them? >> I I feel like I have seen them, but uh yeah. >> But you don't know like who they are. >> I don't know who they are. >> What were they What was the male wearing? >> I wish I wish I could remember. >> Did you smell anything or like cologne or anything like that that would stand out or any body odor? >> I like They looked like they were homeless, so. >> Looked like they were homeless? >> Yeah. >> And he's going to need you to look at the cameras. >> Just want to see if you have any cameras that would have caught them. >> No, I have none around the car wash. >> None on that side of the building at all? >> No, it stops right here at this round and the sign. >> Okay. Can uh you carefully watch that for a second? I want to see if they're >> to see them. >> See if the other people are on there. So just from where she comes around the corner. I'm definitely running it back. So brown jacket, jeans. >> Yeah. >> Looks like a photo op. Couple of them were doing this. Is that them? >> Yep. That is. Always. >> Does that look like the girl? >> Yep, that's her. >> That's her? >> That is her. >> And that's what the guy looked like, too? >> Let me see the guy. >> Uh let me see. >> Hard to see. >> Yeah, the cameras aren't the best, but that looks like them. >> That looks like them, yeah. >> Okay. Okay. Once you get that filled out, we're going to see what we can do about finding them, okay? >> I have >> Do you know the guy, the customer? Maybe I can get his name. He would tell >> Um all I know is his first name is Calvin. That's all I Yeah, I don't know what his >> And he said he bumped into them outside? >> [snorts] >> Yeah, and we was when we was watching the video, I actually seen him check out and go around the corner and he was crossing like getting ready to go down that way when they come around the corner and he said she literally right here where the dead spot at, she literally like almost mowed him down when they were turning the corner. >> Got you. >> So, yeah, cuz he had actually asked me for I left yesterday evening when I went to leave, I stood out here in the parking lot talking to another customer and he come walking and he's like, "Hey." He said, "Did you have somebody steal and run yesterday?" And I was like, "No, why?" And he said, "Well, they almost made me." I said, "Well, they didn't steal from me, but I said they were, yeah." And he's like, "Yeah, the girl's Shelly Johnson." >> The manager at Valero's said after I left a customer came in and said that he passed the suspect and it was Shelly Johnson. But he knew her. >> Are you talking about Kenny Kevin? It's green. >> The one that lives over here in the by rallies? >> Yeah, I think so, yeah. >> green house. >> Yeah, I don't I don't know he lives close to you. >> The one in the green house? >> Mhm. >> And he said he knew her? >> Yeah, yeah, he said she owns the building up there. >> Okay, let me go talk to him then. Is Kevin here? Is Is Kevin up? >> Yeah, that's my roommate. >> Can I talk to him? >> Yeah, he's not downstairs. No one lives down there. >> Oh, okay. Were you down at Valero yesterday? >> Yeah. >> Were you down at Valero yesterday? >> Yeah. >> Did you talk to the clerk about seeing something? >> I was not there that day. I was talking about somebody around the corner. >> Yeah. >> And uh two I seen a guy and a girl running around and they kind of damn near pushed me out of the way. >> Okay. >> And I ended up running up against the building. I said, "Get the hell out of the way." Kept running around the front. And I started walking back. >> Right. >> Through the alley. And uh I seen them two two people that were in in Family Dollar. In the alley. >> Mhm. >> And I seen that lady walking up to the store crying. Had a purse all tore apart and stuff. Saying she got robbed, got robbed. Hold on. You don't have to go inside the store crying. And I guess the cops came down and reviewed the cameras. So, I thought I knew >> Do you know who the woman is? >> Her name is Shelly. Got purple hair. That's what people call her. >> Oh, I thought they said you knew who she was. >> Well, I know her. I know her. I got her number on my phone, but >> What's her name, Kevin? >> Shelly. >> Shelly >> I don't know. The one that The one I ain't really been around here that long. I didn't know >> How do you know her? >> I I did from the streets. >> Yeah. >> Asking her for cigarettes. >> And you would ask her for cigarettes. Do you know her any better than that? I'm trying to identify her, and if you can identify her, she did rob that girl. That's helpful. That helped that woman. >> I don't know. She's a little bit shorter than I am. She always rides a little 20-incher. She's got purple purple hair. That's all I know. Purple hair. Yeah, maybe she dyed I don't >> Kevin, has she has she ever been in your house? >> No. >> Okay. >> Not here. >> Not here. So, she's not the woman I kicked out a few months ago for you? >> Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's the woman here in that store. Yeah. >> Yeah. Was that her? >> Yeah. >> So, you do know her? >> Well, yeah. I met her Yeah. Next door. I thought I knew her. I thought you knew her. >> Yeah, but yeah. Yeah, yeah. I had Yeah, that's who it was. That's the same one? >> I mean, I Yeah, I like Yeah, it is. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah, I thought she Yeah, that's her. Yeah. Yeah, it is. >> So, that's the same woman that you called the police on you? >> Wouldn't get out of your house? Yeah. >> Cuz I was the officer that came out on that. >> Yeah. My neighbor walked out in the front here as she left. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> That's the one that was running from yesterday was the same one? >> Yeah. >> You're sure? >> Yeah. >> 100%? Okay. Do you know her last name? >> No, I don't. I don't really know that. I mean, you know, you get that one night. >> Okay. So, she's the same one that you called here that >> Yeah. >> had stayed the night with you and then wouldn't leave? >> Yeah. >> And what phone number did she have? Do you have a phone number for her? And you said they about ran you over when they were running? Do you know who the guy was? >> He told me the guy was taller than me. He had a similar jacket to this, but it was more brown. He's about a foot taller than me. I'm about 5'8", so. He's definitely over 6 ft. I didn't see him robbing or nothing. I just seen him running around the corner. >> Yeah, but that's helpful, especially since you know who she is. >> But I heard that uh I I told a couple of people about it what I was doing when I was sitting down there at the bar. And he said, "You don't want to get in the middle of that." But I guess he's got some people that people up. >> Well, I'm just trying to get her identified. Are you willing to write a statement out about what you saw over there? >> I told that lady down there Man, I ain't trying to get in the middle of it. No, sir. But I guess he's got people that people up. >> I'll let them know about that. She lives in Homeless Camp. All right. So, you're not willing to do a statement for that lady? >> Man, I don't want to get in the middle of that. >> All right. All right. Thanks, Kevin. If I need anything else, I'll holler at you. >> Similar pattern. Yeah, security camera. See that? It was just the light. You want to try this one or walk down here? >> Morning. >> You got your jacket? >> Yeah, I mean, I don't Do I need one? >> Yeah, I need to talk to you. It's cold. >> It's all right. What's the matter? >> Go get your jacket. Is there anybody in there WITH YOU? >> NO. >> GO GET YOUR JACKET. >> YEAH. >> ALL RIGHT. Come here. >> Stop it, Blaine. >> Stop putting your stuff with me. Just hold on, please, while I get my cigarette. >> Have I done something wrong? >> Did you look in there? >> Not yet. You go ahead for safety, sweet. Hey. Return all the papers. >> But why? >> I'll tell you in a second. >> What's going on? I haven't done nothing. >> I need to see your hands. You're Shelly Johnson, correct? >> I am. >> All right. Put your stuff in here with me, Shelly. I want to talk to you. >> That's fine. Just have a seat. >> I'm Officer Dotmar. I'm advising you of your rights. I'll tell you why I'm detaining you, okay? >> Yeah. >> You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have one present while you're being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer and want one, one will be appointed to represent you prior to questioning if you wish. You can stop anytime to exercise your rights, to answer questions, or make any statements till you talk to a lawyer. Do you understand your rights, Ms. Johnson? >> I do. >> Okay. I'm stopping you because of an incident that happened yesterday in front of Valero on Bridge Street. Shelly, is there anybody else in your car? >> No, sir. No, Officer Cross, there's not. >> Is there anybody back there with you? >> No. >> Shelly, >> I just have I just have clothes pushed up against it cuz the air comes through there. >> Do you Do you understand your rights? >> I do understand my rights. >> Okay. Are you Are you okay to talk Are you okay to talk to me about what happened? >> Yeah, do you understand that woman that was my $20, the woman snatched out of my hand. >> Okay, so you know what I'm talking about then. >> Yes, I do. I was going to give her a couple of dollars and she snatched my $20 out of my hand. >> The woman the woman that was walking down the sidewalk? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes, so I just stood there for a minute and I thought to myself, that's the last $20 I've got to my name. She's not taking my money. So I snatched her wallet back out of her hand after I she turned around and walked away and I said, "No, I'm not doing this, Jay." And I said, "No, I said, "I come here." And I snatched the wallet back and I took my $20 back. >> Okay. So you took $20 out of her wallet? >> That belonged to me that she took from me first as she was cramming it down in her wallet. >> How'd she take $20 from you? >> Because she asked me for a couple of dollars and I had a 20 and two ones and she snatched the $20. She did this. And I was like, "No, wait a second. Hang on a minute." >> Where did Where did you run into her at? >> It was I didn't She She stopped and asked right there in front of the bus station right in front of the bench. >> The bus station bench? >> Yep. >> And she asked you for a dollar? >> She asked me first, she asked for a light. >> A light? >> Oh, she asked me for a light. So I got a light out and I gave her a light. I already had the money in my hand cuz we were going into the store anyways. And she said, "Could you spare a couple of dollars?" And so I took the $2 away from the $20 and then when she was about half doing her something, I don't know what was wrong with the woman. She snatched $20 from me. >> Okay. >> And I was like, >> She put it in a wallet? >> She was cramming it down into her wallet. >> So then you pulled the wallet out of her hand? >> Well, it took me about 10 seconds to realize what she'd done and I said, "What what I said, "What She just snatched it." And I was like, "No, I'm not doing this." Then I went one, two, three, about 5 10 ft and I snatched the wallet from her. She was shoving it down into a wallet and I she didn't get it all the way down into a wallet. >> Mhm. And then okay, so >> And I took my $20 back and gave her wallet back. >> Okay. Then what happened? >> I turned around and walked away. She hollered, "I'm calling the police. I'm this and I'm that." >> So you walked away. Where'd you walk? >> Walked left. Walked behind Valero's. I was going to go into Valero's and say to him, "No, I'm going to go across the street to Family Dollar." I said, "Okay, go to Family Dollar." I walked over there with you. >> Okay. >> Took my last $20 to my name. >> Okay. Who were you with? >> Uh Jason, but I don't know his last name. >> Jason? >> I don't know his last name. Uh Oh god. >> over here, too? >> No, he doesn't. I just I ran into him in front of Riley's first. >> You don't know Jason's last name? >> Or is it Jason? Jason Johnson? Jason Jackson? Is it Jason Jackson? >> Okay. Do you have any way to get a hold of him? Where does he live? >> I don't. I just know he comes to >> Okay. So here's an issue I have with your story. You didn't walk away. Shelly. >> No, she told me she was going to call the police. And Jason said he had a warrant. Come on, let's run. Let's go. >> So he took off. So he took off with you. >> Do you understand how it looks suspicious that you ran away? >> I didn't run away at first. >> You did. At least I have watched the cameras. I knew it was you. That's why I came out here, right? >> Yeah, but she said she I'm going to call the police, she hollers. >> Right. So I knew it was you and you guys ran. >> Because he said, "I have a warrant. Run." >> You don't have a warrant. >> I don't know. >> So why'd you run? >> Because I was running. >> I guess I was running because he was running. >> If somebody stole your money, all right? That'd make you a victim. Why would you run if somebody stole from you? >> I just ran because he was running. >> All right. You understand how it makes you look guilty when you run away, right? >> I do. >> You ran around Palera, right? >> I did. >> You ran across Bridge Street, right? >> I know. >> You ran down the alley. >> I know. >> That makes that look suspicious to me when I'm sitting here. >> I'm sorry. >> The woman said you yanked her wallet out of her hand and stole her money. All her money. >> Have you ever now as long as you've known me, have you not ever had anything ever heard me do anything like that? >> Well, it happened cuz you did pull the wallet out of her hand and pull money out, but you're saying it was your money. She's saying it was her money. >> No, she said it's my money first beforehand. >> Okay. >> I don't know if she was drunk. I don't know if she was just I don't know what she was. >> She's not drunk. She's disabled. >> Well, I didn't know that and I didn't know and and and she stole the >> that makes it even worse when somebody has a disability. >> Well, she let it seem like she was plum drunk to me. >> No, she has a disability. That makes >> Well, I I mean if she still took my money. People with disabilities still do wrong things. >> Okay. Let's walk down here. Let's see what these other officers >> Can I have a cigarette now? >> You can sit here. I don't care. So, where's this other guy at to verify your story, Jason? >> know where Jason is at. >> Cuz it would be nice to have somebody back your story up cuz like I said >> Well, I know that, but you know what? He like I said, the only reason >> He He looks So, it looks bad on you. >> I know it does, but that's what he said he said he's got a warrant. It's going to be hard to >> It looks bad if you took off running. >> I mean Finding Jason is going to be like a needle in a haystack cuz that's the reason we still took off running to start with. Cuz cuz he said he had a warrant. >> Listen, if you didn't do anything wrong, I don't understand why you're running. >> Just because we was together walking We was walking together and we was going to a couple of places together. >> Yeah, what was y'all doing yesterday? >> I was headed towards Well, I was headed to Brightview and headed to the bank. >> Mhm. You You know that woman before? >> Never in my life. Never even seen her. >> Stop. Shelly, I don't think that woman took your $20. >> Why? >> It just doesn't sound very believable to me. >> Oh, but it sounds believable a person that's been here for 4 years and never been in trouble. >> So, I don't >> to decide to >> I don't think I don't think the woman that has a physical disability >> Why? You don't think people with physical disabilities do things wrong? >> I don't think she did that. I think you're lying to me. >> I'm not lying to you. >> Okay. >> I'm not lying to you. Why would I I don't even know that woman. She stopped and asked us for a light and asked for a couple of dollars and she snatched my money from my hand and turned around and tried to I just thought she I thought she was drunk. >> Maybe that was the issue. You thought she was drunk and you could steal from her. >> Yeah, that's what it is. I'm going to go steal from drunk people. >> By the time the officer approaches the suspect, he already has surveillance footage, a victim ID, and two independent community witnesses, neither one prompted by police. That is not reasonable suspicion. That is [clears throat] probable cause under Beck versus Ohio. Terry versus Ohio allows a brief investigative stop on reasonable articulable suspicion alone. The officer here had far more. The Fourth Amendment was not just satisfied, it was exceeded at every step before the first word was spoken to the suspect. When Johnson is handcuffed, Miranda attaches immediately. The officer reads every element before asking a single question. Berkemer versus McCarty draws exactly that line. The moment a Terry stop becomes a custodial arrest, the Fifth Amendment clock starts. He got it right. Johnson waves her rights and talks. She admits grabbing the victim's wallet and pulling $20 out. Her defense is claim of right. She says the victim took the money from her first, so she took it back. That is a recognized defense in Ohio. It goes to a jury. It does not negate what the prosecution has to prove. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2913.02, theft is knowingly obtaining control over another's property without consent with purpose to deprive the owner. Johnson admitted the act on camera. The dispute is about intent, not whether it happened. The base charge on $50 would be petty theft, a first-degree misdemeanor, county jail, not prison. That changes the moment the victim's status enters the analysis. Subsection B, three of that same statute, elevates the charge to a fifth-degree felony whenever the victim is a disabled adult. Huntington's disease qualifies. Johnson saw the victim stagger and assumed she was drunk. The disability was visible. The statute does not require the offender to know the diagnosis. Ohio Revised Code Section 2929.14 puts the sentencing range at 6 to 12 months in state prison and a fine up to $2,500. First-time offenders typically receive probation and restitution rather than active time, but the felony conviction itself stays that affects employment, housing, licensing, and firearm rights. Probation does not erase that. Johnson was transported to Ross County Jail and charged with theft as a fifth-degree felony, $50. That is what the disability enhancement does. It removes the dollar amount from the equation entirely. Three lessons. First, Johnson waived Miranda and talked. Everything she said is now evidence. Asking for a lawyer before answering a single question is not guilt. It is the one decision that cannot be undone once made. Second, the disability enhancement statute does not care what you knew about the victim's condition. If the victim qualifies and the act is proven, a $50 theft becomes a felony. Knowing who the law protects matters before the encounter, not after. Third, Johnson ran when the victim called police, then explained she ran because her companion did. That explanation does not help in court. Flight is permissible evidence of consciousness of guilt. A jury is allowed to weigh it, and they will. Let us know if there is an interaction or legal topic that you would like us to discuss in the comments below. Thank you for watching, and don't forget to check out our channel for even more police interaction and courtroom content.