CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A high-speed pursuit that reached speeds of 120 mph tore through the streets of Chillicothe on Monday, ending with a crash into a local business and a foot chase.
Anthony Thomas, a man with multiple active warrants, is now in the Ross County Jail following the three-minute, 4.6-mile spree that nearly resulted in several head-on collisions.
The FLOCK Alert
The incident began on March 23, 2026, when Chillicothe Police Officer Chance Blankenship was alerted by a FLOCK license plate reader that a black Kia sedan associated with Thomas had been spotted near Bridge and East Main Street. Knowing Thomas had active warrants for Telecommunication Harassment and Probation Violations, officers moved in to intercept.
Speeds Reach 120 MPH
When Officer Blankenship attempted to stop the vehicle near Lunbeck Road, Thomas allegedly hit the gas. The pursuit quickly turned dangerous:
- The Escape: Thomas drove through a trailer park and onto the grass to evade officers, eventually merging onto South Bridge Street heading northbound.
- Extreme Speeds: Police reports indicate that while on Bridge Street, Thomas reached speeds of 120 mph, weaving in and out of both lanes and nearly colliding with several other motorists.
- City Streets: The chase continued onto East Main Street at 105 mph, where Thomas reportedly blew through multiple red lights at Watt Street, Cutright Drive, and Douglas Avenue, often driving into oncoming traffic to pass other cars.
The Crash and Foot Pursuit
The high-speed run came to a crashing halt when Thomas attempted a sharp right turn onto Vincent Street. Due to his speed, he lost control, slid off the roadway, and struck the corner of the Expressway Drive-Thru building.
Witnesses at the scene pointed officers toward the back of the building, where Thomas had reportedly fled on foot toward Legget Avenue. After a brief chase, Thomas eventually gave up and laid down on his stomach near East Main Street, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
Charges and Damages
The owner of Expressway Drive-Thru, Deenna Harrington, reported only minor damage to the building. No additional evidence or contraband was found inside Thomas’s vehicle.
Anthony Thomas faces a long list of charges, including:
- Failure to Comply (Fleeing and Eluding)
- Reckless Operation * Failure to Control
- Active Warrant: Telecommunication Harassment
- Active Warrant: Probation Violation (TPO Violation)
Thomas was transported to the Ross County Jail, where he is currently being held.
