RICHLAND COUNTY, Ohio — Authorities have arrested a Richland County man accused of allegedly kidnapping a Shelby woman, along with two others for obstructing the investigation, according to the Richland County Sheriff's Office.
John Henry Mack Jr. is accused of kidnapping Melinda Davis, 33.
A warrant for his arrest was issued on Feb. 26. Davis has not been seen since Feb. 25.
“The task force has been operating for over 10 years in the Mansfield area and cases like this are exactly why we will continue to work with our local and federal partners. Law enforcement across the country worked day and night, shrinking this suspect’s world and he had nowhere else to run," Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon said.
Mack was arrested in the area of East 1st and South Adams streets without incident.
"Law enforcement got some information that Mack was in the Mansfield area this evening and they acted on it immediately," said Anne Murphy the supervisory deputy for U.S. Marshal.
Deputy Murphy added that Mack was arrested without incident, meaning rather peacefully, and he did not have weapons. But she said Davis was not with him.
"Currently at this time, he is in custody. I'm sure law enforcement will be doing everything they can to figure out those next questions, answers to those next questions as to where she is," Deputy Murphy said.
Jaybyn Mack and his wife Alexandria Mack were arrested Friday morning and charged with one count each of obstructing justice, News 5 has learned. Jaybyn Mack is John Henry Mack Jr.'s son. Henry Mack Jr. was arraigned on one count of kidnapping.
"Two individuals were arrested for obstructing the investigation," said Captain Donald Zehner with the Richland County Sheriff's Office. "They, along with Mr. Mack, were arraigned in court this morning. We are still actively searching for our victim and her car. We appreciate every one of the tips. Call if you have any information — please call the Richland County Sheriff. That is our main focus, our only focus, finding Ms. Davis."
“My stomach flipped, my knees went weak," Jamie Barnes, Davis's current boyfriend, said after hearing that Mack was arrested. "We got down here, there was just nothing. It was dark still, you know, there was no more information."
Friday, Barnes led a search party along with Davis's best friend, Paula Littlefield, that took them to Alexandria Mack's home on Riggle Road in Bellville. News 5 saw two Richland County Sheriff's Office cruisers near the property. They did not say why they were there.
Barnes said now that Mack has been arrested and Davis has not been found, the nature of their searches has changed, but they will never stop searching for her.
“With him being apprehended now we're doing recon. Now we're trying to find a body or a location that this person may be at," Barnes said. "We just feel like there's nothing that can ever be enough until she comes home."
In a message to News 5, Melinda's sister, Lisa Davis, said that she is busy praying that Mack gives up information as to where her sister is and that she is still alive.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward.
"If they have any information that still might help locate her or any information regarding her just to call their local authorities, call the Richland County Sheriff's Office or the Shelby Police Department," said Deputy Murphy.
If you have seen Davis’s car (2013 black Volkswagen Jetta with Ohio tag number JGZ8921) or have information about Davis's whereabouts, call the USMS at 1-866-4-WANTED or the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 419-524-2412.
RELATED: Richland County woman first reported missing now believed to be kidnapped by ex-boyfriend
