Pataskala Police Department

10/11/2026

Thank you everyone that braved the unpredictable weather for our second annual Trunk or Treat! We had a wonderful turnout, and there were so many amazing costumes!

Thank you to the Licking County Sheriff's Office, Reynoldsburg Division Of Police, Hebron Ohio Police Department, Johnstown, Ohio Police Department, Granville Ohio Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Licking County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers, Pataskala Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, Pataskala K-9 Unit, Tractor Supply Co., Peoples State Bank, and Councilman Kip Rooks!

10/11/2026

*UPDATE: Gage has been located as of October 11th, 2026. Thank you everyone for your assistance!*

MISSING / ENDANGERED PERSON

The Pataskala Division of Police is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Gage Halbert, a 28-year-old male who was last seen on September 13th, 2026, in the City of Pataskala. Gage is homeless and suffers from mental health issues. It has been discovered that Gage may have been in a state of emotional distress before his disappearance. In the past, Gage has been known to live in the areas of Pataskala, Etna, Lancaster, Frazeysburg, and Bucyrus.

If you locate Gage, please DO NOT approach him. Gage is known to carry knives and may use them if he is experiencing a mental health crisis. Instead, dial 911 if Gage is located.

Anyone with information regarding Gage’s whereabouts, or if they have been in contact with Gage since 9/13/26, is asked to contact the Pataskala Division of Police at 740-927-5701 or email Sgt. Hayes at [email protected]

Please feel free to share and thank you for your assistance!

09/26/2026

🎃🚓 SAVE THE DATE! 🚓🎃
Join the Pataskala Police Department for our annual Trunk or Treat!
📅 October 11
⏰ 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Foundation Park
This year, Trunk or Treat will be part of the Pataskala Hometown Festival! Bring the family out for an afternoon filled with:
🍬 Candy
🚜 Hayrides
🛍️ Local vendors
🎨 Kids’ activities
🎃 Plenty of Halloween fun!
Costumes are encouraged, so dress up the kids and come enjoy a safe, fun-filled afternoon with our community. We hope to see you there!

09/25/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Juvenile Arrested Following Vehicle Theft Investigation

Pataskala, Ohio — September 25th, 2026

The Pataskala Division of Police, with assistance from the Licking County Sheriff's Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Pickerington Police, and Reynoldsburg Division Of Police apprehended a juvenile male early Friday morning following a vehicle theft and attempted vehicle thefts.

At approximately 12:54 a.m., Officer Grant was conducting routine neighborhood/area checks when he located an unoccupied vehicle in the roadway on Watkins Road. The vehicle was determined to have been recently stolen from Reynoldsburg.

Around 1:30 a.m., officers responded to a local car dealership after a masked individual was reported to be entering vehicles in the parking lot. The suspect fled on foot, and officers quickly surrounded the area with assistance from LCSO, OSHP, and Pickerington PD.

Officer Grant and his K9 partner, Reiko, tracked the suspect on foot while Sgt. Wiles, Sgt. Hayes, Officer Cooley, and other assisting officers maintained the search area. Drone units from LCSO and Pickerington PD kept eyes on the perimeter. The juvenile eventually felt the pressure of the closing perimeter and voluntarily surrendered to Sgt. Hayes and a Pickerington officer.

During the investigation, the juvenile admitted to stealing the initially located vehicle and driving it until it became disabled. He also admitted to walking down Broad Street before attempting to steal two vehicles from the victim car dealership.

Pataskala PD will be filing charges through the Licking County Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office. Reynoldsburg PD will be filing additional charges in Franklin County.

The Pataskala Division of Police would like to thank all the agencies and officers who assisted in the investigation.

Pataskala K-9 Unit

09/13/2026

09/02/2026

*See below*

This Thursday September 3rd, 2026 from 11am - 8pm Licking County Office of Emergency Management will be hosting a Multi-Agency Resource Center at our department training room. Please feel free to share and help spread the word!

Pataskala K-9 Unit
Pataskala Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association

Licking County Flood Recovery Update

Licking County EMA, along with several of our community partners, will be hosting a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) this Thursday to assist residents impacted by the recent flooding.

📍 Pataskala Police Department Training Facility
623 Broad St SW, Pataskala, OH 43062
📅 Thursday, September 3, 2026
⏰ 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

All Licking County residents who were affected by the flooding are encouraged to stop by if you need assistance or would like to learn what resources may be available. Multiple agencies will be together in one location to help connect residents with recovery resources and support.

This will be our first MARC following the flooding. We will evaluate the community's needs and schedule additional opportunities if necessary.

We are also planning a second MARC next week in the Hebron/Buckeye Lake area to better serve residents in that area, including Heath residents who may need assistance.

Please help us spread the word and share this information with anyone who was impacted. Our goal is simple: make it as easy as possible for our residents to get connected with the help they need.

Licking County EMA
Working together to support our communities.

08/28/2026

🚔 There’s still time to sign up for the 2026 Pataskala Citizens Police Academy!

The deadline to register is Wednesday, September 9. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about your police department and experience law enforcement firsthand!

Sign up here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQA-ZPGqMd8mOHWfjtfS6r-_KQBYdXoKGl6p-PYv-n0z1nVg/viewform

Pataskala Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association

08/20/2026

There is a flash flood warning in effect until 7:45am. Please do not risk driving through high water. Our street department is also out and putting up signage and cones. Please be careful and leave early if you need to take an alternate route this morning.

08/15/2026