Deputies respond to three domestic calls in an hour, one involving a house fire
The duplex on Fourth Street in Syracuse, Ohio was the scene of an alleged arson. Two dogs were also removed from the home. Photo by Madalyn Wood.
MEIGS COUNTY, Ohio – In a night that had law enforcement responding to 3 separate domestic calls, one of them included a house fire.
According to Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood, his office is investigating three different domestic complaints that occurred in a hours time Oct. 19, 2017.
At 10:28 p.m., a Pomeroy Pike Road man, reported a domestic complaint against his wife. Deputies responded and made contact with Russell. According to a statement from Sheriff Wood, had obvious physical injuries allegedly inflicted on him by his wife, Merissa Starcher, 34. Deputies attempted to locate Starcher but she had left the residence prior to officers arriving. This case is under further investigation. Charges of Domestic Violence have been filed against Starcher.
The second domestic complaint came into the sheriff’s office at 10:33 p.m. from Fourth Street in Syracuse. A woman called the Sheriff’s Office in reference to a domestic complaint with her husband, Michael Hammond, 35. Middleport Police and Pomeroy Police responded to the scene for assistance as deputies were still investigating the first domestic complaint. Upon arrival, Middleport officers advised that the Hammond residence was on fire. Deputies arrived at 10:57 p.m. and took statements from the alleged victim where she advised that Hammond had come to the residence and climbed through a window to gain access to the residence. At that time, the victim left the residence and went to her parents’ house next door where she advised Michael came over and made threats toward her. Hammond then went back to the residence where he allegedly started a fire in the house. Two dogs were also rescued from the home in alleged inhumane conditions.
Syracuse and Racine Fire Departments were on the scene as well as EMS Medic 2. Hammond was arrested for Domestic Violence and Aggravated Arson as well as Aggravated Menacing where he threatened Deputies King and Fennell. Hammond was incarcerated at Middleport Jail pending a court appearance. The State of Ohio Fire Marshal was at the residence investigating Oct. 20 as well.
The third Domestic complaint deputies were called to came into the sheriff’s office at 11:34 p.m. from residence on Tackerville Road. Deputies were still on the scene of the Syracuse incident. A woman contacted the sheriff’s office to report that her husband, Justin Bocook, 33, came home and started an argument with her after waking her up. The alleged victim advised that Bocook had obtained a firearm, waving it around and had held her down and bit her. According to the report, he also had threatened to burn the house down.
Deputies arrived at 11:41 p.m. to investigate with the assistance from Middleport Police. Justin Bocook was located at intersection of Bashan and Tornado Road where he was taken into custody. Charges of Domestic Violence and Disrupting Public Services have been filed against Bocook. He was incarcerated at the Middleport Jail pending a court appearance.
October is also Domestic Violence Awareness month. For information about domestic violence visit odvn.org.
For more information click the link below to the original story on the Fourth Street fire in Syracuse.
