BUTLER — A man with an active arrest warrant was hospitalized July 11 after Butler Mayor Wesley Dingus hit him with his car, according to an investigation by the Bellville Police Department.
Bellville police Chief Jon Fletcher shared the department’s findings during a press conference Monday morning. Fletcher was accompanied by Bellville Mayor Teri Brenkus and two Bellville officers who responded to the scene, Sgt. Gregory Tackett and officer Matt Corwin. Dingus was not present.
Fletcher confirmed the man hit was Anthony Ward, a 37-year-old man sought by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections Adult Parole Authority for violating conditions of his supervision.
Ward was imprisoned after being found guilty of sexual battery of a minor, a third degree felony, in 2021. He was released on parole in February, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections offender search.
Ward was listed as an offender at-large on ODRC’s website with a notice: This individual should be considered dangerous and possibly armed. Do NOT attempt to apprehend this individual. Call your local law enforcement agency or 911.
Bellville Police officials said they notified Ohio Adult Parole Authority that Ward was transported to Ohio Health Hospital.
According to Fletcher, Ward was staying with his grandmother, 77-year-old Mary Hunter of Butler.
Hunter was driving a Black Chevy Traverse with Ward in the passenger seat on the evening of July 11. Dingus contacted Butler police Chief Eric Winbigler just after 7 p.m. to tell him he’d been following the vehicle because he recognized Ward.
Hunter pulled into the Duke and Duchess parking lot at 11 W. Elm St., followed by Dingus and later, Winbigler.
“As Chief Winbigler exited his marked patrol car in full uniform, Mary Hunter exited her vehicle and started approaching the Butler chief, yelling and hollering,” Fletcher said.
Fletcher said Hunter continued to yell at Winbigler as he approached the passenger side of the vehicle, where Ward was ducked down to avoid being seen. Winbigler reportedly demanded Ward exit the vehicle with his hands up, which he eventually did.
“As Ward exited the vehicle, he informed the chief that he was not going back to prison and a scuffle ensued as he exited,” Fletcher said.
“Mr. Ward was able to break free from the chief’s grip and then started to run across the roadway.”
Fletcher said it was around that time when Bellville police officers heard the scuffle over the radio and proceeded to Butler to respond to the incident.
Meanwhile, Winbigler began to chase Ward on foot.
Dingus reportedly told officers he was leaving the gas station when Ward ran into the front of his car.
“Ward then slid off and continued to run into what they call Independence Alley, where (Dingus’) red vehicle attempted to prevent him from further running and struck Mr. Ward in the front passenger corner with his vehicle,” Fletcher said.
“This is when Ward’s left leg got caught in the wheel well and was stuck under the car where his left leg was ran over.”
Fletcher said Bellville officers arrived on the scene seconds later. Officers administered first aid until Worthington Township EMS arrived to transport Ward to the hospital.
At that time, Fletcher said Winbigler requested the Bellville Police Department handle the investigation and the department took control of the scene.
The investigation included an on-scene interview and follow-up interview with Dingus. The department also took temporary control of Dingus’ vehicle.
Fletcher said it’s not common for a mayor to be involved in an arrest, but the mayor is technically the top law official in the town and has the authority to make an arrest under certain circumstances, similar to a citizen’s arrest.
He declined to speculate on Dingus’ motivations.
“I’m not here to determine if (Dingus) did it intentionally or unintentionally,” Fletcher said.
“We’re not doing any charges. We’re just simply providing a non-biased, factual report (to the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office).”
Fletcher said he did not have up-to-date knowledge of Ward’s medical status, but officers initially indicated he had a broken leg. He added Ward was sitting up and able to communicate with law enforcement officials while they were administering first aid.
Dingus previously told Richland Source he had no comment and deferred future questions to village solicitor John Studenmund. Richland Source sought comment from Studenmund prior to publication, but he had not responded at the time of publication.
