MANSFIELD, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The Mansfield Police Department has completed its investigation into an incident that occurred on April 9, 2025, at 139 Blymyer Avenue, the department announced Monday.
The investigation included a review of a complaint filed by David Brown Jr., security footage posted to Facebook, body-worn camera footage, cruiser video from the involved officers, and officer statements. The body-worn camera and cruiser footage have also been released to the public.
According to the findings, on April 7, officers received credible information from a known and previously reliable source regarding suspected drug trafficking at the Blymyer Avenue address. The source reported a heavyset, younger Black male selling drugs, often with a pistol, and an AR-style rifle visible inside. Police noted the source’s prior tips had led to multiple felony arrests and firearm seizures.
On April 9, at approximately 3:00 a.m., officers patrolling near Blymyer Avenue observed a silver Ford sedan traveling westbound through an alley. The vehicle briefly stopped at Sturges Avenue before accelerating quickly, leading officers to suspect an attempt to evade them.
The vehicle was later found parked outside 139 Blymyer Avenue. Officers observed a man matching the provided description near the vehicle for approximately nine minutes, walking around, opening and closing the trunk, and pacing on the porch without entering the home.
Based on these observations and the prior information, officers determined they had reasonable suspicion of criminal activity and attempted to detain the man, later identified as David Brown Jr. Police cited the Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio (1968), which permits officers to conduct a protective weapons search during a lawful detention based on reasonable suspicion.
The department statement emphasized prior incidents of individuals firing weapons from inside residences and noted officers’ knowledge that Brown might have an assault rifle inside. This led them to decide it was necessary to keep Brown away from the residence for the safety of officers, the public, and Brown himself, as well as to prevent potential escalation if occupants misinterpreted the situation on the porch.
Police reported that when they commanded Brown to step off the porch for a pat-down, he refused to comply and backed away. As officers approached, Brown continued to retreat and refuse their commands.
When officers attempted to detain Brown, he allegedly pulled his arm away, leading to a brief struggle. Officers took him to the ground to handcuff him. Police stated Brown was uncooperative and argumentative and refused to identify himself. Upon identification, officers discovered a felony warrant for Brown out of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for cocaine possession.
Brown then allegedly refused to enter the police cruiser and had to be physically placed inside after multiple warnings. During this struggle, he continued to resist verbally and physically and was sprayed with pepper spray to gain compliance.
The internal investigation concluded that all officers acted within department policies, a finding reviewed and confirmed by Safety-Service Director Keith Porch.
The police statement highlighted that 2023 was one of the most violent years in the city’s history and that a more proactive policing approach has been employed, resulting in a considerable drop in the violent crime rate. The department affirmed its commitment to this strategy to ensure public safety.
The statement also thanked the community for its patience during the investigation and cautioned against drawing conclusions from short video clips, emphasizing that officers are entitled to due process.