Harry Mepa Echipare, 39, of 500 Gunntown Road, Apt. D10, was charged Friday with menacing by stalking after his 13-year-old daughter reported he was physically and mentally abusing her, her 9-year-old sister and her mother.
The eldest daughter spoke with a school counselor who referred the issue to police. An officer of the Bellefontaine Police Department met with the girl who reported her father had taken her phone and her mother’s phone. He also has allegedly pointed a pistol at the mother and threatened to kill himself.
The younger girl confirmed her sister’s allegations while talking with a school resource officer at another school.
Echipare was located at his residence and taken into custody.
Officers and detectives were allowed to search the residence by Echipare’s wife and they found multiple surveillance cameras throughout including in the bedrooms, living room and inside and outside the entry door. The suspect allegedly monitors the cameras while at work forcing the girls and their mother to communicate via written notes.
A 9mm handgun was found unloaded hidden under clothing in a closet.
The defendant agreed to go with a victim’s advocate from the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office to file for a civil protection order.
A report was forwarded to Logan County Children’s Services.
OVI charge issued
Justin I. Marshall,24, of Nicholasville, Ky., was charged Sunday with operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs after a 1:35 a.m. traffic stop. He also was issued traffic citations for weaing and failure to signal.
An officer observed him operating a car on Main Street near Orchard Avenue at a speed in excess of the 35-mph posted speed limit. The officer followed Marshall and observed it weaving in the lane. Marshall continued north to the 1100 block before slowing to nearly a stop before abruptly turning into a turn lane and continue left into a restaurant.
Upon contact with Marshall and his passenger, the officer noted an odor alcohol before instructing Marshall to exit the car. The motorist was unsteady on his feet and admitted to consuming one glass several hours earlier.
Field sobriety tests indicated he was impaired by alcohol and he was taken into custody. The passenger was able to find a ride home and left her car parked at the scene.
Marshall provided a breathalyzer sample of 0.26. He was lodged in jail.
• Tim Jordan, 66, a resident of Washington Township, was arrested Friday at Mary Rutan Hospital after he refused treatment but would not leave the facility. After he was arrested for persistent disorderly conduct, officers learned he was wanted on a felony warrant for violating a protection order.
He was lodged in jail.