CLEVELAND — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is looking a driver of a stolen pick-up truck who led troopers on a chase and damaged several cruisers in the process, eventually getting away from troopers after several attempts, according to a news release from the OSHP.
On Wednesday at about 2:14 p.m., troopers tried to stop a stolen beige 2000 Lincoln Continental, and when the driver failed to stop, a short pursuit was initiated in the area of Miles and Broadway avenues. Troopers stopped the pursuit for safety reasons.
A short time later, the stolen vehicle was last seen in the area of Harvard and Broadway avenues. While police and troopers were surveying the area for the stolen Lincoln, they located a stolen pick-up truck pull into a gas station at about 2:48 p.m.
When troopers attempted to block the vehicle, the male driver sped away and struck one patrol car. Two other troopers, along with the damaged patrol car, started a vehicle pursuit for crimes of assault against a police officer, vehicle theft and failure to comply with lawful orders, the news release states.
Eventually, the damaged cruiser successfully spun the truck around in the area of Miles Road and East 175th Street. When troopers exited their cruisers to take the male driver into custody, he rammed the two cruisers and fled the area after two of cruisers were disabled.
One of the cruisers continued the chase and the driver of the stolen pick-up truck sideswiped a stopped vehicle at the intersection of Emery and Warrensville Center roads in the Village of North Randall.
The initial cruiser lost sight of the stolen truck in the area of Glendale Avenue and Lee Road. The pick-up truck was later found in the area abandoned. There was no sign of the driver.
Troopers said there were no serious injuries from the crash. If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of the driver, contact the Cleveland Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol at 216-265-1677.
