Six men and a woman were arrested over the weekend for gathering with several other individuals, which violated the state’s stay-at-home order that has been extended through the month.
Preston Horton, 23, of Columbus; Ronald Lyons, 19, of the 1100 block of Rockcress Drive; DeAngelo Spears, 20, of the 800 block of Thornwood Drive; Iriese Carter, 20, of the 830 block of Toronto Avenue; Armani Thomas, 19, of the 1200 block of Belmont Avenue; and Jaquan Jones, 19, of the 1300 block of Roosevelt Avenue are charged with violation of any rule of the director of health or the department of health, a second-degree misdemeanor.
Mr. Lyons and Mr. Horton also face misdemeanor charges of obstructing official business after they allegedly fled on foot after police arrived at the scene.
The men were allegedly gathered in a front yard in the 500 block of Ogden Avenue. Not all the individuals lived at the location, and they were not practicing “social distancing” by standing closer than six feet together, records show.
They were each arrested by Toledo police and booked into the Lucas County jail.
In a separate incident Saturday, Jariesha Dillard, 24, of the 720 block of North Erie Street also was charged with violating the stay-at-home order.
Ms. Dillard was seen outside along with 40 to 50 other people about 3:45 a.m. Saturday outside the Greenbelt Place Apartments near Michigan Avenue and Walnut Street. Ms. Dillard was informed to go home several times while officers were there, but she failed to do so, police said.
She was arrested and booked into the jail.
Before weekend, Toledo police have made about 11 arrests for the violation of the stay-at-home order. Toledo police are nearing 20 arrests after this weekend and said warmer temperatures may have played a role.
“Making arrests and citing the violation of the governor’s order has never been the goal, nor does it continue to be the goal, of the Toledo Police Department,” said spokesman Lt. Kellie Lenhardt. “As the weather continues to improve it comes with the expectation that more people will be outside to enjoy the fresh air. Toledo police continue to encourage responsible behavior which includes social distancing, not gathering in large crowds, and not participating in activities that would cause police to respond.”
Each of the defendants appeared Monday in Toledo Municipal Court and later were released on their own recognizance.
First Published May 4, 2020, 12:17 p.m.
