Ravenna police step in to help people released from jail without a ride

Some people experiencing homelessness intentionally commit crimes to have a room and meals at the Portage County Jail, local leaders said. Jeremy Brown/The Portager

Ravenna police step in to help people released from jail without a ride

- Wendy DiAlesandro

Just shy of midnight on Feb. 21, Ravenna police received a call reporting a suspicious person outside the Sherwin Williams store on West Main Street. 

Even though the temperature was in the low-30s, officers found Jesse Andrew Pelkey, of Marshallville, Ohio, wearing only a light jacket, according to a police report. Pelkey said he was released from the Portage County Jail “a few hours ago” and didn’t know what to do.

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