The Olivesburg General Store was the scene of an old-fashioned citizen’s arrest on the evening of July 4, when civilians in the store recognized and physically detained Mansfield Correction Institution (ManCI) inmate James D. Myers. Troopers arrived soon after to take Myers into custody.
The convenience and general goods store is located at the intersection of 545 and State Route 603. Lettering on the store window displays the words “Proudly serving the community since 1840.” The store owner now has reason to be even more proud.
Inmate James Myers escaped from ManCI on July 3 prior to a 9 p.m. prisoner check and remained at large until his arrest in Olivesburg. On the evening of July 4, he entered the rural convenience store wearing a light shirt and dark pants and asked to use the phone.
“At first, I didn’t think anything of it,” stated store employee Pollyanna Coffman. She noted that Myers claimed to have a disabled vehicle and had asked to use the store’s phone.
According to Coffman, Myers placed a phone call, and a third store employee, Lydia Miller, noted that Myers returned the phone and phonebook to her and indicated someone would be by to pick him up.
Also behind the counter, employee, Greg Gallaway glanced over his shoulder while scooping ice cream, and did a double take. “I came up and gave him a double glance. And then I’m looking around the room thinking, ‘Is anybody else seeing what I’m seeing?’”
All three remembered looking at the wanted-flier posted in the store earlier that morning. Suspicions were aroused.
“The customer that ended up taking him down was over there” Gallaway motioned toward the opposite side of the store. “He gave me a head nod like, ‘That’s the guy.’”
The customer, who wishes to remain anonymous, went to the back of the store and placed a 911 call. Gallaway, Coffman, and Miller moved about the store in an effort to maintain composure and not alarm the fugitive. Miller observed that Myers seemed in no hurry and made an effort to engage Myers in small talk.
Myers returned to make three separate purchases: a beverage, a lighter, and a candy bar. As he started to complete the third purchase, the unidentified customer decided to take action.
“I was at the register and I scanned his candy bar and he was getting his coins out to pay,” stated Miller, “And out of nowhere this guy came and took him down.”
Video from store surveillance cameras shows Myers taking change from his pocket when he is approached from behind by a male customer. The man, clad in an American flag shirt, appears to lift Myers by the shoulders, and quickly force the fugitive to the wooden floor.
Bystanders joined in and aided in subduing Myers by using rope found on the general store shelves.
Officials at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) confirmed that Myers was taken into custody by the Ohio State Highway Patrol at 6:42 p.m. without incident. He was transported to ManCI for confirmation of his identity and returned to incarceration.
Myers, who serving a sentence for kidnapping, rape, aggravated burglary, corruption with drugs, weapons under disability, and menacing by stalking, was considered dangerous. While law enforcement authorities can not endorse the citizen arrest because of the possible threat, they were grateful no one was harmed.
