BELLVILLE, Ohio — UPDATED — “Keith James Swanger has been charged in the domestic violence incident [that occured] on Sunday, July 19 at 125 Main Street in Bellville. He’s been charged with domestic violence, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal damaging, Bellville Police Chief Ron Willey said on Monday.
Monday, the Richland County Prosecutor’s office added new charges for felonious assault and abduction, in addition to the other charges.
“The case has been sent to the prosecutor’s office for further review. Mr. Swanger is currently being held in the Richland County Jail and will be arraigned this morning. We secured the house on Main Street and obtained a search warrant to further investigate the incident. The victim was treated and released from MedCentral,” Willey said.
Swanger was previously charged wtih domestic violence in 2005, but that case was dismissed.
Sunday, July 19 — Bellville police officers responded to a home at 125 Main Street for an alleged domestic assault call at approximately 4 a.m. on Sunday.
Along with Bellville Police Chief Ron Willey and Bellville officers Gregg Tackett and Jason Hutchison, officers from Ontario, Richland County Sheriff’s Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to the call. SWAT also responded.
Officers evacuated neighbors as the situation unfolded.
A female was subsequently transported to Ohio Health MedCentral hospital with apparent injuries, an a male suspect was being questioned.
“Based on the information we have, the male refused to let the female leave. I thought there might be kids in the house. With all the unknowns, and for their safety and officer safety, SWAT was called in,” Bellville Police Chief Ron Willey said.
No further information was available at the time of this report.
