MARTINS FERRY – Recent theft at former East Ohio Regional Hospital is leading Police Chief Vincent West to ask the public for assistance.

While officers were recently patrolling the area, they discovered the hospital had multiple unlocked doors.

“That place is huge, so they walked through and didn’t hear anything at that given time. They found a few things messed with where you could tell people were in and out of there doing different things,” West said. “This has been going on for a couple of weeks now. They’ve been stripping copper and wiring out of it.”

He added that his department just recently caught two juveniles who had stolen two-way radios and iPads out of the hospital.

West said theft from the vacant hospital has become an ongoing problem with suspects repeatedly breaking into the structure.

In addition to the two juveniles, West said that he has received tips about a certain resident bragging around town about breaking into the hospital. He said that although his department is investigating the tip, officers have not made contact with the individual yet.

“We have people breaking in and destroying the hospital,” he said. “We’ve had water lines taken out and all kinds of stuff. Our officers have cleared it many times. We’ve had water breaks in it, and we’ve had to call the water department out to shut the lines down.”

He added that copper wiring has been stripped from the building and warned that continued damage could compromise the structure’s condition.

West is asking any residents who sees or knows anything suspicious in or around the hospital to contact his office.

East Ohio Regional Hospital was purchased in 2020 and reopened in 2021 by Dr. John Johnson. In June, it was announced that 360 Healthcare Inc. had purchased the hospital from Johnson. The facility reopened at the beginning of 2025 but closed again by spring, and ownership later changed amid ongoing financial and legal issues. Since its closure the large property has since sat vacant leading troublemakers to have a field day on trashing the building.

“There are so many ways to get in and out of the building. We’ve found so many different ways they are coming and going, and they’ve been in there a lot,” he said.

West added that once caught the vandals would face breaking and entering, theft and vandalism charges. He said that it is uncertain the dollar amount of property stolen but it is currently under investigation.

In addition to vandalism West said that there are signs that indicate people have been squatting in the hospital.

“The problem is there’s so many different ways in and out of that place. Windows and doors obviously, but there’s a lot of places to get in and out of there to where you’re not even seen. So it makes it hard on us with the place being so big,” West said. “We’ve actually had officers go through with officers from other agencies that’s helped us out and tried to find them. But like I said, even if you do, they could be out the other side before you’re even on them.”

Services Director Andy Sutak said that the hospital’s uncertain ownership status has complicated efforts to address the situation. He added that portions of the property remain tied up in bankruptcy proceedings.

“Some of it has been under bankruptcy,” Sutak said. “I don’t know where that is right now. We haven’t seen many directives as far as where it’s at.”

He added that the future of the building remains unclear until those proceedings are resolved.

“I guess once that’s all done, then the state of Ohio or the federal government — or however that bankruptcy is actually going through — once they release that, we’ll have a better idea if the hospital is going up for foreclosure or up for sale,” he said. “Everything is kind of pending right now.”

Mayor John Davies expanded on that process, outlining the steps that must occur before the city can take any action.

“The bankruptcy judge will decide when to release that property,” Davies said. “Once that property is released, it goes to the Belmont County Treasurer. At that time, Ms. [Katherine] Kelich can put it up for foreclosure, and then it can be put up for sale. Those are the steps that have to take place, and that’s a lot of steps before it ever gets to the city level.”