Balcom sentenced for January high-speed chase which damaged bridge

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GREENVILLE — A Rossburg, Ohio, man learned his fate Monday in Darke County Common Pleas Court after leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit in January.

Randy S. Balcom, 37, was arrested after stealing a 2004 Dodge Caravan from his mother on January 23, 2017, and leading deputies on a chase through and around Greenville at times exceeding speeds of 100 miles per hour. He eventually crashed the vehicle on Mill Road off State Route 36, near Gettysburg, Ohio. In wrecking the vehicle, Balcom damaged the bridge on Mill Road which crosses Greenville Creek. Mill Road is off-limits to motor vehicle traffic.

Balcom then exited the vehicle and jumped 30 feet into Greenville Creek. After being retrieved from the creek, he reportedly said he had been trying to kill himself and asked the arresting officers why they had not shot him. He was transported to Wayne HealthCare, where he refused to comply with a blood test.

He pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony charge of Failure to Comply With an Officer and a first-degree misdemeanor charge of Driving Under the Influence. Balcom also was sentenced on a prior fifth-degree felony charge of Forgery, for writing counterfeit checks at Ace Hardware in Greenville and selling the purchased items at a pawn shop. Balcom was represented in court by defense attorney Dave Rohrer.

Common Pleas Court Judge Jonathan P. Hein sentenced Balcom to a total of 103 days in jail with 77 days credited, meaning he must serve 26 more days, with work release. He was also sentenced to five years of community control, must perform 75 hours of community service, pay court costs, attend counseling, and remain drug and alcohol free.

He was also ordered to pay a $375 for the drunk driving conviction, $70 in restitution to Ace Hardware, and $3,800 in restitution for damage to the bridge.

Also sentenced was Sierra Hill, 30, of Union City, Ohio. Hill was among a number of people arrested for drug offenses during a countywide drug sweep March 1.

Hill pleaded guilty to felony Trafficking in Heroin and Methamphetamine, as well as a prior fifth-degree felony count of Forgery. She was also represented by Rohrer.

She was sentenced to 97 days in jail, with 97 days credited and five years of community control. Hill must also perform 100 hours of community service, pay court costs, pay restitution totaling $1,137.13, and attend counseling.

Others defendants were arraigned in court Monday, including:

Tyler J. Rindler, 26, of Versailles, charged with Improperly Handling Firearms in a Motor Vehicle, a fourth-degree felony. His next court appearance is June 14.

Zachary A. Geiger, 22, of Wayne Lakes, charged with Aggravated Trafficking in Methamphetamine, a fourth-degree felony. His next court date is June 5.

Benjamin J. Hampshire, 23, of Greenville, charged with first-degree felony Aggravated Burglary and second-degree felony Felonious Assault. He will appear in court again June 1.

Joseph D. Dye, 37, of Greenville, charged with a fourth-degree felony count of Domestic Violence. His next court appearance is June 1.

Garrett R. Moore, 21, of Union City, Indiana, charged with Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a fifth-degree felony. He is scheduled for a June 5 court date.

Jeffrey L. White, 52, of Greenville, charged with Tampering With Evidence, a third-degree felony. His next court appearance is June 12.

Randy Balcom (left, with his attorney Dave Rohrer) will serve 26 more days in jail as a result of leading Darke County deputies on a high-speed chase in January. He must also pay $3,800 for damaging a bridge near Gettsyburg, Ohio.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Balcom-8735-PRINT.jpgRandy Balcom (left, with his attorney Dave Rohrer) will serve 26 more days in jail as a result of leading Darke County deputies on a high-speed chase in January. He must also pay $3,800 for damaging a bridge near Gettsyburg, Ohio. Erik Martin | The Daily Advocate
Hill sentenced for drug trafficking

By Erik Martin

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The writer may be reached at 937-569-4314. Join the conversation and get updates on Facebook search Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com

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