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Driver on lam after high-speed chase |
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Tuesday, 10 March 2009 |
By KAREN CAMPBELL
Assistant Managing Editor
Waynesfield Police authorities continue to look for the suspect driving a stolen car involved in a pursuit that began with a traffic violation within the village limits Sunday afternoon.
Lt. Nathan Motter first observed the vehicle traveling south on North Westminster Street (State Route 196) through town, approaching the stoplight at a high rate of speed. He said he didn’t think too much about it, but continued to watch as the car partially entered the intersection on a red light and stopped to let a car headed the other direction with a green light continue.
The suspect car then turned right on red, at a light where it is posted illegal, giving Motter probable cause to stop the vehicle.
“I was attempting to get behind him when he took off at a high rate of speed,” Motter said Monday in a telephone interview with the Wapakoneta Daily News.
He estimated the motorist was traveling at speeds of 120 miles per hour with steady rain and windy conditions.
Motter said he had his cruiser up to 100 mph, but the 1993 Cougar easily pulled ahead, driving along the country highway and through the village of Uniopolis.
The pursuit lasted approximately 9 minutes from the time Motter first spotted the vehicle at 12:49 p.m. Sunday, before the car went off the road, into a driveway and back yard. At that point, the motorist jumped out and apparently ran through the Auglaize River at 15663 State Route 67, before Blackhoof Creek Road.
The Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office K-9, Bandit, with the assistance of his handler, Dept. Mike Peterson, was able to track the motorist to the riverbank and then lost the trail in the water, Motter said.
Troopers with the Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and officers with the Cridersville and Wapakoneta police departments assisted, as well as deputies from the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office.
Members of the Wapakoneta Fire Department assisted at the scene because the car, which was smoking, had overheated.
“We still are not able to identify the driver,” Motter said. “I wasn’t close enough and no witnesses could tell if it was male or female.”
He said several pieces of evidence removed from the vehicle — including motor vehicle operator’s licenses, Social Security cards and other personal information on a male and female — could lead to suspects from the Sidney area.
“We do have suspects in mind, but we need to follow a couple leads first,” Motter said.
The pursuit vehicle was stolen from the Sidney area the day before after the owner left it unlocked and the keys inside. The car is expected to be returned to its owner later in the week, with some engine problems.
Motter said it may take some time to locate the suspects and pursue charges, which may include felony charges with theft and fleeing and eluding a police officer.
Sheriff’s Office deputies are investigating the theft of a truck from the 15600 block of Blank Pike Road at 3:40 p.m. Sunday.
Motter and Sheriff Al Solomon said the theft may be related, as the owner of the truck left the vehicle running for a few minutes when it was taken.
“We have reason to believe it’s related,” Motter said. “We’re still checking it all out and putting the pieces together.
“We’re lucky no one was hurt and a stolen vehicle was recovered,” he said. “I am positive they will get caught.”
He said no one likes to be in a pursuit and advised drivers that if law enforcement is attempting to stop them that they should stop.
“It’s not worth it in the end,” Motter said. “You put your life and others at risk and eventually you’re going to get caught.”
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 11 March 2009 )
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