JOHNSVILLE, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)— A Morrow County man is in custody following a tense standoff at a local market that drew specialized response teams from three counties on Saturday.
The Morrow County 911 center received a high priority call on Feb. 14 reporting that an individual brandishing a firearm had entered Marvin’s Village Market in Johnsville. Initial reports suggested the suspect was holding hostages inside the business.
Upon the arrival of Morrow County Sheriff’s deputies, two individuals exited the building. Authorities later confirmed those individuals were the alleged hostages.
Following the safe exit of the individuals, deputies attempted to establish contact with the suspect remaining inside. After several unsuccessful attempts to communicate, the Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Crawford County, Knox County, and Mt. Vernon Special Response Teams (SRT).
When the SRT units arrived, the suspect exited the premises but refused to comply with law enforcement commands. Officers deployed less-lethal rounds, striking the suspect multiple times.
The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Todd Yarger, was taken into custody and transported to Morrow County Hospital for medical clearance. Yarger is currently being held at the Morrow County Correctional Facility on charges of aggravated robbery.
The Morrow County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude for the extensive mutual aid provided by the Mt. Gilead Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Morrow County EMS, and the SRT units from Crawford County, Knox County, and Mt. Vernon.