Juvenile Apprehended at GOASIS
ASHLAND — A 17-year-old juvenile from Medina County who ran away during transport Thursday afternoon was apprehended Friday morning, Oct. 9, at GOASIS following a citizen’s call and a brief foot pursuit, according to Ashland Police Division Capt. Craig Kiley and newly released dispatch records.
The apprehension ended a search that involved Ashland Police Officers, Ashland County Sheriff’s Deputies and Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers, with a drone deployed during Thursday’s search.
“He was at Oasis. He tried avoiding officers and took off running,” Kiley said. “A foot chase ensued, and he was apprehended with the use of a Taser.”
Kiley said the pursuit remained within the parking area.
“He never got off the property,” he said.
After the Taser was deployed, officers placed the juvenile in handcuffs. He was subsequently transported to the hospital for medical treatment.
Search Began Thursday Afternoon
According to the regional 911 call summary, the initial report came in at approximately 2:03 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, from McDonald’s at 740 U.S. Route 250 East.
The caller, identified in dispatch records as being with Medina County Children Services, reported that the juvenile was being transported to a residential facility when he ran behind the restaurant and into the woods.
Officers searched the Audubon Wetlands Preserve, including its trails and the area near the gazebo. Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and Highway Patrol personnel were notified as the search expanded.
Around 3 p.m., dispatch entries documented sightings near Township Roads 653 and 685, with the juvenile reportedly running into nearby woods. Additional reports directed officers toward County Road 1302.
Deputies checked wooded areas, barns and outbuildings. At one residence, a homeowner gave officers permission by telephone to search the home, garage and two sheds. That property was subsequently reported clear.
The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team set up near Township Road 653 and County Road 1302, and dispatch records confirmed a drone was airborne at approximately 3:34 p.m.
The regional dispatch log also documented a request for aviation assistance and an entry stating that a plane would respond from Akron. Later Thursday afternoon, dispatch recorded that Medina County Juvenile Court had issued a warrant for a probation violation. Instructions entered into the log said the juvenile was to be transported to the Medina juvenile detention center once located.
During the search, Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider issued a public warning advising residents to remain inside, lock their doors and call 911 if they observed suspicious individuals or activity. Residents were instructed not to approach the juvenile.
Friday’s regional 911 report shows a call at approximately 7:09 a.m. associated with Motel 6 on Montgomery Road. The caller reported a younger-looking male asking to use a telephone in the lobby and hiding near a tree line.
Subsequent dispatch entries placed the male at GOASIS, 715 U.S. Route 250 East. At approximately 7:16 a.m., an officer reported seeing him coming out of the business’s front door. At 7:17 a.m., the log recorded a Taser deployment and that the male had been detained.
Kiley said Ashland police officers made the apprehension, with two deputies and a Highway Patrol trooper in the area providing support.
“It was a good combined team effort,” Kiley said.
Kiley declined to discuss the underlying offense, saying he was uncertain what information could be released concerning a juvenile. He said Friday’s incident would be referred to juvenile authorities and the prosecutor’s office for review of possible additional charges. No additional charges were confirmed during the interview.
