Cincinnati Police District 3 detectives are asking the public to help identify a man photographed alongside a truck in connection with a theft in Camp Washington. Investigators released the appeal Wednesday, naming Investigator Morrissey as the point of contact for anyone with information.
According to the Cincinnati Police Department, the theft occurred in Camp Washington, and detectives are seeking help identifying both the man pictured and the truck involved. The department has not specified what property was taken or whether the truck was stolen or used in connection with the theft, leaving that detail unresolved. Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Morrissey at 513-263-8380, or to reach out anonymously to Greater Cincinnati Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040. The department also noted that its social media page is not monitored continuously and that anyone facing an emergency should call 911.
Why District 3 Is Handling the Case
Camp Washington now falls under Cincinnati Police District 3's jurisdiction, a result of the city's late-2023 decision to dissolve Police District 5 and reassign the neighborhood along with other West Side communities, as reported by WVXU. That consolidation expanded District 3's reach across 18 West Side neighborhoods. The district operates out of headquarters at 2300 Ferguson Road with 161 sworn officers under a police captain, per the City of Cincinnati, delivering 24-hour patrol and investigative coverage across roughly 20 square miles.
District 3 maintains a dedicated Investigative Unit tasked with district-wide follow-up work, processing crime scenes, and issuing public appeals like this one to identify unknown suspects, according to the City of Cincinnati. That unit works alongside a Violent Crimes Squad that handles felony-level cases, though it is not yet known whether this theft will be charged as a felony or misdemeanor.
Industrial Neighborhood, Familiar Pattern
Camp Washington is a historic Mill Creek Valley neighborhood annexed by Cincinnati in 1869, with a residential population of 1,234 recorded in the 2020 U.S. Census, according to Wikipedia. Despite its modest residential footprint, the community is home to more than 150 active industrial and manufacturing businesses, maintaining heavy commercial trucking and rail freight activity, as documented by WVXU. That industrial character, rooted in the neighborhood's history as Cincinnati's meatpacking and machinery hub, means large trucks and commercial vehicles are a routine sight on its streets.
This is not the first vehicle-related theft investigation District 3 has pursued in the immediate area. In April, detectives issued a similar public call for help after a vehicle property theft at the city's police impound facility on Spring Grove Avenue, a primary industrial artery running through the Camp Washington corridor. The pattern reflects broader citywide trends: FBI crime statistics recorded 2,760 motor vehicle thefts across Cincinnati in 2024, out of 11,932 total reported property crimes citywide.
What Charges Could Look Like
Under Ohio Revised Code § 2913.02, the severity of any eventual charge will hinge on the value and type of property involved. Theft of property valued under $1,000 is classified as a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail, while theft involving property worth $1,000 or more, or involving motor vehicles specifically, escalates to felony status under state law. No suspect has been identified or charged as of Wednesday's appeal.
Residents looking to report information have several options beyond calling Investigator Morrissey directly. Greater Cincinnati Crime Stoppers accepts anonymous tips across nine regional counties and offers cash rewards for tips leading to an arrest, without requiring informants to testify. The City of Cincinnati also offers non-emergency reporting through its 311 customer service line and 24-hour front-desk reporting at any police district station.
District 3's reliance on public tips and Crime Stoppers appeals has become a familiar tool for solving property crimes across its sprawling West Side coverage area, following similar recent appeals tied to a stolen car in West Price Hill and a break-in suspect near Northside. For now, the identities of both the man and the truck seen in Camp Washington remain unknown, and detectives are counting on the public to fill in the gaps.
