EATON — Preble County Sheriff’s deputies last week arrested a suspect in a domesic violence incident which led to charges including kidnapping.
On April 28, at approximately 5:33 p.m., deputies investigated a domestic violence complaint that occurred in the 1700 block of Miller Williams Road. The victim reported that her ex-boyfriend had physically assaulted her at his residence, according to Sheriff Mike Simpson. “The victim further reported that the suspect had forced her onto an ATV and took her into a wooded area near the house and held her at gunpoint. While being held at gunpoint, the victim states that the suspect threatened to kill her and would not let her leave. At one point, the victim was able to flee the area and call for help,” Simpson said in a press release.
Deputies arrived at the suspect’s residence and attempted contact. However, the suspect would not answer the door. Further investigation found that the suspect was likely at the house and deputies secured a search warrant for the residence, he continued.
Deputies entered the residence and located the suspect in a second-story bedroom. He was taken into custody without incident. The suspect, Justin M. Lehr, 37, of Eaton, has been formally charged in Eaton Municipal Court with crimes including: kidnapping a second-degree felony (with gun specifications); abduction, a third-degree felony (with gun specifications;) violating a protection order, a first-degree misdemeanor and domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor.
Deputies recovered several firearms inside the residence. Lehr remained in the Preble County Jail at press time.
One arrested after false domestic violence call
Earlier in the month, on April 22, deputies were dispatched to 6539 Moses Road regarding a domestic violence incident. Upon arrival, the preliminary investigation revealed the caller, Elizabeth Hobbs, “had fabricated the story surrounding the call and had fled the scene prior to our arrival,” Simpson reported in a press release.
While deputies were actively attempting to locate Hobbs, she returned to the residence. Deputies were again called to the residence upon her return. Deputies arrived and found that Hobbs appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. Hobbs failed a field sobriety test as well as admitting to fabricating the original call, the release noted.
“Deputies requested a K-9 from the Eaton Police Division, the press release noted. “K-9 Shadow arrived on scene and conducted a free air sniff of Hobbs’ vehicle, and showed a positive alert to the odor of narcotics. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed approximately 4.1 grams of suspected methamphetamine.”
Hobbs, 34, of West Alexandria, was arrested and transported to the Preble County Jail. She was formally charged in Eaton Municipal Court on April 24, with crimes including: aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony; OVI, a first-degree misdemeanor; making false alarms, a first-degree misdemeanor; misconduct at an emergency, a fourth-degree misdemeanor and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.
Hobbs posted bond set by the court and was released from the jail.
