The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office made 34 arrests, including 2 OVI arrests, recovered 2 stolen vehicles, and seized more than 100 grams of Methamphetamine during the third Operation Unity of 2025 on the west side of Franklin County on Wednesday, June 25.
This coordinated initiative targets illegal activities, like thefts and drug-related crimes. It also addresses the growing public concern over the rise in stolen vehicles, shots fired calls, and felonious assaults.
This latest operation focused on Franklin and Prairie Townships.
Notable Highlights:
- Just before 7:00 p.m., deputies attempted to make a traffic stop in the area of Georgesville Road and Sullivant. The driver refused to comply, leading deputies on a pursuit on I-270 with speeds over 115 mph. Deputies stopped the pursuit for safety reasons. The suspect was later spotted, and stop sticks were successfully deployed, and the suspect’s vehicle struck a guard rail in the area of I-270 and US-33. The suspect ran into a wooded area. As a deputy attempted to take the suspect into custody, he assaulted the deputy. After a struggle, the deputy was able to take the suspect, Ricardo Luis-Ruiz Pratts, into custody. Pratts is now charged with Aggravated Robbery, Assault on a Police Officer, and Failure to Comply.
- Two cars were stopped for drag racing down West Broad Street. Both drivers are now facing charges, including Street Racing, Speeding, and Reckless Operation. One of the vehicles had a passenger who was unbuckled and three small children in the back – a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old who were totally unsecured, as well as an 18-month-old baby in a car seat. That driver also faces multiple counts of Failure to use Child Restraints.
Operation Unity took place over a 12-hour period on Wednesday, June 25. Here are the results:
- 109 traffic stops
- 59 traffic citations
- 63 traffic warnings
- 14 felony arrests (including warrants)
- 20 misdemeanor arrests (including warrants)
- 2 OVI arrests
- 2 stolen vehicles recovered
- 16 impounded vehicles
- 100.5 grams of Methamphetamine seized
- 2.5 grams of Fentanyl seized
- 1 gram of Cocaine seized
Sheriff Baldwin wants to thank all of our partnering agencies for taking part in this initiative:
- Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
- Franklin Township Police Department
- Columbus Division of Police
- Columbus City Attorney’s Office
- Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office
- Franklin County Municipal Clerk of Court
- Franklin County Chief’s Association