Stolen Vehicle Pursuit From Medina County Ends in Ashland County Field; Suspect in Custody but Refusing to Identify Himself
ASHLAND COUNTY — A high-speed pursuit of a stolen vehicle out of Medina County came to a end Sunday afternoon in Ashland County, after the suspect swerved off Interstate 71, crashing thru a fence and fled into a field before being arrested.
The pursuit began when deputies with the Medina County Sheriff’s Office located a vehicle on Medina Road near I-71 that had been reported stolen out of New York. When deputies attempted a traffic stop, the driver refused to pull over and accelerated southbound on I-71.
According to Sgt. Matt Denton of the Medina County Sheriff’s Office, the driver reached speeds of approximately 115 mph as the pursuit continued into Ashland County. Multiple agencies attempted to stop the vehicle using tire deflation devices. (Spikes)
“Westfield Village Police tried to spike him but weren’t able to get it,” Denton said. “OSP Ashland also attempted to spike it with no success.
The suspect ultimately took himself out of the pursuit, when he abruptly drove the vehicle off the roadway near mile marker 182, going down an embankment, crashing through a fence, and coming to a stop in a farm field.
The driver then fled on foot.
Ashland County Deputies, Medina County Deputies, and an Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper pursued him roughly 300 yards into the field. He surrendered by lying on the ground and was taken into custody without further incident.
Deputies at the scene could be seen searching the area for additional items discarded during the foot chase. Ashland EMS was called to the scene.
Sgt. Denton said the biggest challenge now is that the suspect refuses to identify himself.
“He gave us a name, but it comes back to a false name,” Denton said. “We have no idea who he is at this point.
The suspect is currently booked in the Medina County Jail.
No injuries were reported among Deputies or Troopers.
As is often the case with pursuits, the chase ended in Ashland County — a point of humor noted by those at the scene. “As they always say — it always ends in Ashland.”
