Local police have arrested an Amesville man Monday for attempting to run his ex-girlfriend off U.S. Route 50 and threatening to kill her in an East State Street parking lot.
Ben C. Blackburn, 22, was arrested by Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies at about 3:15 p.m. Monday for menacing by stalking.
Officers were called to Taco Bell, 978 E. State St., after a 16-year-old employee was chased to the fast food restaurant’s parking lot by her ex-boyfriend, according to an Athens Police report.
Prior to arriving at the parking lot, Blackburn made several attempts to run the juvenile off U.S. Route 50. Once the two arrived at the restaurant, Blackburn pulled the juvenile from her car, threatened to kill her and burn her house down, according to the report.
Two employees at the restaurant ordered him off the lot, and he was later arrested by Sheriff’s deputies. He was sent to Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail, according to the report.
Blackburn was arraigned in Athens County Municipal Court yesterday and is being held on $10,000 bond.
Blackburn is currently on parole, and his parole officer was notified, according to the report.
Menacing by stalking is a fourth-degree felony. Blackburn could spend a maximum of 18 months in prison and pay a maximum fine of $5,000 if convicted, according to the Ohio Revised Code.
Blackburn is due back in court for a preliminary hearing April 14 at 2 p.m.
—Marika Lee contributed to this report
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