A traffic stop is Ross County on Wednesday ended with two arrests and a severely damaged sheriff’s cruiser.
According to Ross County Sheriff George Lavender, his patrol division conducted a traffic stop around 4:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon in the 14000 block of Pleasant Valley Road. The driver of the vehicle, Joshua Rinehart, 33, of South Salem, is reported to have stopped his vehicle after being pulled over, but once stopped, is said to have placed the vehicle in reverse and rammed the front of the patrol vehicle, causing extensive damage to the cruiser.
A search of the suspect vehicle was conducted and a large amount of suspected methamphetamine, items reported stolen in a separate case, crack cocaine, and prescription drugs were found
.Joshua Rinhart has been charged with assaulting a police officer, vandalism and traffic violations for ramming the patrol cruiser. A male passenger in Rinehart’s vehicle, Malcolm Cornell, 35, of Chillicothe, was charged with tampering with evidence and 2nd degree felony drug possession. Additional charges are pending. A third unidentified female passenger in the vehicle was released at the scene.
(Joshua Rinehart, 33, of South Salem)
The investigation resulted in a search warrant for a residence on Lot #7 at 14996 Pleasant Valley Road where additional stolen property and evidence of drug trafficking was found. The above photo, provided by the Sheriff's Office, shows the suspected drugs and cash seized during the search.