Cridersville Police Chief Paul Robbins has released details of a pursuit that ended in vehicle fire Tuesday. At 5:15 pm Tuesday officers responded to a traffic crash in the 200 block of West Main St. The crash was the result of a pursuit that started on I-75 in Hancock County. The driver of the vehicle exited at the 118 traveling West on Main St at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control of the vehicle after the CSX crossing on Main Street, striking a tree and then striking 2 vehicles before coming to rest in the 200 block of West Main Street. Upon arrival Officers Nick Rayoum and Derrick Barginere came upon a heavily damaged vehicle on fire with occupants inside. Officer Rayoum and Officer Barginere were able to remove two occupants from the vehicle.both were transported to area hospitals in serious condition. Information was gained from those removed from the vehicle that a third subject was in the vehicle at the time of the crash and fled the area prior to Officers arrival.
A search of Cridersville and the surrounding area was conducted. Deputies from the Auglaize County Sheriff's Office, New Bremen Police Department and Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted in the search. After 5 hours of searching it is believed the suspect was picked up West of Cridersville by an unknown vehicle and left the area.
Robbins said at no time was it confirmed that the suspect at large was armed.
"I want to commend Officers Rayoum and Barginere for their heroism in removing both occupants of the burning vehicle. Their quick reaction saved lives of already seriously injured occupants. I am thankful no one else was injured as a result of the incident," Robbins said.
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