Butler County Sheriff's Office

[Public Info Officer]

For Immediate Release….. Date: March 3, 2012

Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives Respond To Crash In St. Clair Twp.

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones reports the arrest of a Middletown man after he crashed his vehicle into trees.

On March 3, 2012, at approximately 1215, deputies responded to a vehicle crash on Riverside Drive, in St. Clair Twp. When deputies arrived, Randell Gabbard told St. Clair Life Squad members and a Deputy Sheriff that he was driving and tried to kill himself and his girlfriend, Melody Roberts. Roberts was in the front passenger seat of the SUV, at the time of the crash.

Detectives and the Sheriff’s Office START (traffic safety) Unit were dispatched to the scene to assist with the scene and criminal investigation. Roberts and Gabbard were both interviewed by detectives.

According to Roberts, Gabbard stated he was going to kill both of them. Gabbard began accelerating, crossed the center line, left the left side of the roadway, and pulled the vehicle back across the roadway striking trees and brush.

Roberts was transported to Middletown Atrium Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Gabbard was transported to Fort Hamilton Hospital and released. Gabbard was then arrested and transported to the Butler County Sheriff’s Correctional Complex. Gabbard was interviewed by detectives and booked into the jail where he is currently confined.

Arrested: Randell J. Gabbard, age 38
Domestic Violence, M-1
Attempted Murder, F-1

Prepared by: Sgt. Todd Langmeyer
Butler County Sheriff’s Office