Ohio bill would boost penalties for suspects who barricade themselves to avoid arrest
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A recently introduced Ohio bill seeks to boost penalties for suspects who barricade themselves to avoid arrest.
Senate Bill 188, introduced by Sen. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) in late April, would make it a crime in the state for individuals to barricade themselves to evade law enforcement. Barricading occurs when a suspect takes position in a location, such as a structure or vehicle, where police cannot readily reach them and refuses to follow orders.
Columbus spent $95,000 on Department of Public Utilities rebrand, records show
'Curbing the rate of criminals who barricade themselves from law enforcement safeguards our peace officers from further harm and helps ensure the safety of our communities,' Patton said in a news release.
The legislation specifically prohibits a person who is under arrest for a felony or violent misdemeanor from occupying a location that prevents immediate access by law enforcement and refusing to exit. The bill classifies doing so as a third-degree felony, which can carry a penalty of nine months to three years in prison, in addition to a possible $10,000 fine.
The charge could be upgraded to a second-degree felony if the person who committed the offense created a risk of serious physical harm to any person, indicated to law enforcement that they were in possession of a deadly weapon, or if a third person was also unwillingly barricaded. If the third person present was a minor or elderly individual, the charge would be bumped up to a first-degree felony.
For these escalated offenses, prison time would be mandatory. Offenders charged with a second-degree felony would serve a minimum of two years in prison and those charged with a first-degree felony would face a minimum sentence of three years. The bill would also make it a fourth-degree felony to assist a fleeing suspect in establishing a barricade.
Ohioans get green light to collect signatures to get property tax issue on ballot
Patton said the U.S. Marshals Service brought the issue to his attention. U.S. Marshal Pete Elliot called the bill a 'necessary step' in reducing barricade situations, as well as lowering the risk of harm to law enforcement officials and the community.
'Our officers of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force deal with barricaded subjects on a daily basis, greatly increasing the danger to themselves and to surrounding neighbors,' Elliot said in a statement.
While there is currently no law in Ohio specifically banning people from barricading during a police encounter, it is illegal to flee and elude law enforcement. Doing so is a first-degree misdemeanor, which can be escalated to a fourth-degree or a third-degree felony depending on the prior crime committed and if the person posed a risk of serious physical harm to people or property.
SB 188 was referred to the Judiciary Committee, where it awaits its first hearing.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Daytonians targeted by fake BMV text scam
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Another text messaging scam is targeting the wallets of Ohioans. A text message received by staff shows a phone number apparently originating from the Philippines is contacting people by text, and claiming you have an unpaid traffic ticket. The scammer is impersonating the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and uses scare tactics in the message. The recipient of the message is threatened with items like driving and vehicle registration suspensions and prosecution. 'Please pay immediately before enforcement to avoid license suspension and further legal disputes,' the scammer said. A link to visit to pay the fraudulent fine is listed, but you are urged to not click the link. Although the fraudster also wants you to reply to the message, you should report it as spam and delete it. 'If you receive this text, do not fall for this scam,' said Charlie Norman, registrar of Ohio BMV. 'Do not click any links and delete the text. Ohio BMV will never send you a text demanding payment or requesting your personal information.' If you have mistakenly provided the scammer with payment, you should contact your local police department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Pride Act' aims to protect Ohio parents with LGBTQ+ children
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — An Ohio lawmaker said her new parental rights bill coinciding with Pride Month is designed to combat the 'hostile environment' fostered by anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. House Bill 327, the 'Parents Rights for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity' Act (PRIDE Act), would protect Ohio parents' access to evidence-based medical and behavioral health care, hygiene care like menstrual care products, and educational opportunities for their children 'that are reflective of and inclusive of all students.' Out in Ohio: Stonewall Columbus gets ready for Pride 2025 'Most of all, parents have the right to raise their children in an inclusive, respectful, and accepting environment which honors their children's rights to freedoms of speech and expression,' the bill states. Rep. Karen Brownlee (D-Symmes Township), H.B. 327's primary sponsor, argues the act is needed given the anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed by the Statehouse that she said 'take away the rights of parents who raise LGBTQ kids.' Brownlee pointed to the 'Parents' Bill of Rights,' legislation requiring schools to notify parents of changes in a student's mental, emotional or physical health. Opponents argue the measure will result in the 'outing' of LGBTQ+ students, and cite a crisis hotline that said it received an increase in calls from Ohio youth within hours after the bill was signed into law in January. 'Parents rights have been a particular focus for the super majority over the past few years and, coupled with their targeting of LGBTQ youth, it's created a hostile environment for many of our young people and the adults who take care of them,' Brownlee said during a June 3 news conference. Republicans have long said the 'Parents' Bill of Rights' ensures parents are making decisions for their children, not the government. Gov. Mike DeWine told reporters in January that the bill provides a path for parents to be informed about what's going on in their child's life. Marysville, Westerville LGBTQ+ groups rally Pride funds as businesses pull support '[Parents are] the first teachers, they're the best teachers, and that's very, very important,' DeWine said, noting that he does not see the bill as harming LGBTQ+ students. Brownlee listed several other Ohio anti-LGBTQ+ measures, like requiring academic institutions to set separate bathrooms based on students' 'biological sex.' Columbus City Schools said this law is why the district reverted students' names to those reflected on birth certificates and rescinded its trans and gender variant student policy in February. The mother of two children who identify within the LGBTQ+ community, Brownlee said LGBTQ+ youth are owed 'the same rights, freedoms and access as any other young person' and that she and her husband deserve the 'same rights as other parents to raise their children in a safe and supportive Ohio.' 'When our kids came out to us, we were scared, out of fear for our kids wellness, safety and future here in the state of Ohio,' said Brownlee. 'The continued bullying of our youth is a losing fight. Let's stop fighting with our kids. Let's stop creating manufactured cultural wars that hurt them. Instead, let's listen to them.' List: 2025 Pride Month events, festivals in central Ohio Brownlee announced the act during a news conference marking Pride Month with other Statehouse Democrats and LGBTQ+ advocates. Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood), Ohio's first openly gay Statehouse lawmaker, touted her new bill to mark 'Love Makes a Family Week,' after Republican legislators introduced plans to designate a month celebrating 'natural families.' Antonio also recently reintroduced proposals to ban anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Reps. Anita Somani (D-Dublin) and Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood) announced the reintroduction of the 'Marriage Equality Act,' a House Joint Resolution to codify same-sex and interracial marriage. If passed by the Statehouse, the act would place a constitutional amendment on the November 2026 ballot, providing Ohioans the chance to enshrine marriage equality into Ohio's constitution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Driver leaves scene due to ‘childcare issues' after adult struck on I-670 exit ramp near Downtown, Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A person walking along Interstate 670 exit ramp was struck by an SUV, whose driver had to leave the scene due 'childcare issues', according to police. Officers and Columbus Fire Medic units arrived at the I-670 westbound ramp towards Interstate 71 South Sunday night at 11:15 p.m. and found an adult victim had been hit by a Toyota 4Runner. The driver and two passengers stopped briefly to check on the victim. Central Ohio bitten by price cycling bug at the gas pump The driver of the Toyota said they had childcare issues and had to leave. The passengers stayed behind and reported the crash to authorities. Police said the Toyota was located, with the driver's side mirror missing and damage to the vehicle that matched the damage found at the crash scene. Police did not say if there were any arrests made or charges filed against the driver. The victim was taken to an area hospital and listed in stable condition with a broken leg. The Accident Investigation Unit responded to scene and continue to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.