MARTINS FERRY — Motorists near the intersection of Hanover Street and Ohio 7 may have noticed something unusual pop up out of a manhole cover on Monday afternoon.

While sitting in traffic waiting for the traffic signal to change, motorists noticed a naked man jump out of the manhole on the sidewalk.

The man, who was only holding a mask in one hand and some sort of article of clothing in the other, was very dirty and completely naked. He jumped into the back of what appeared to be a city-owned truck stopped in traffic at the intersection that had its tailgate down. The driver did not notice what had happened, and the naked man held the tailgate up so no one could see him in the back.

As the truck traveled through the intersection, past the Hanover Fuel Stop, it turned left onto First Street. The naked man decided to jump out of the back of the moving truck and fell hard on the ground. He then got up and ran in the direction of the Ohio River.

The man, who appeared younger, had blondish hair and was thin with a muscular build.

Martins Ferry Police Chief John McFarland said Monday the naked man may be the same person his officers were looking for in connection with a domestic incident that occurred in the city.

As to why the man was naked, McFarland said it is possible the man is on drugs.

“There was an incident in town, a domestic incident, and the man fled in that direction. … I’m sure Linus will find him,” McFarland said, referring to the department’s police canine, who is handled by Officer John Holmes.

Later in the day Monday, McFarland said his officers found the man — identified as Jack Clifford Jones Jr. of 3479 Central Ave., Apt. 505, Shadyside — in the area of the football field, which is off First Street in Martins Ferry.

“We got him by the footbridge going towards the football field. He was still naked,” McFarland added.

The chief said Jones has been charged with obstructing official business and domestic violence.