Senator Patton Introduces Bill to Increase Penalties for Evading Arrest

COLUMBUS—State Senator Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) introduced Senate Bill 188 that increases penalties for fugitives who barricade themselves in a home or structure in an attempt to evade arrest.

"The U.S. Marshal's Service brought this to my attention because it has become a significant issue," said Senator Patton. "Curbing the rate of criminals who barricade themselves from law enforcement safeguards our peace officers from further harm and helps ensure the safety of our communities."

"Our officers of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) deal with barricaded subjects on a daily basis, greatly increasing the danger to themselves and to surrounding neighbors," said U.S. Marshal, Pete Elliott. "This bill increases the penalties for those who choose to endanger others by creating a barricade situation, and is a needed step to reduce how often this happens and lower the risks to law enforcement and the community."   

Senate Bill 188 has two main components:

1. Prohibits a person who is under arrest for a felony or violent misdemeanor from taking position in a physical location that prevents immediate access by law enforcement, and refusing orders from law enforcement to exit the location. The bill declares a violation of this section to be a third degree felony.

2. Prohibits a person from assisting a fleeing individual from establishing a barricade, and makes a violation of this section a fourth degree felony.

Senate Bill 188 has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further hearings. Follow the bill here. 

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