HOCKING – On Friday, September 16th, Hocking County Sheriff’s Office deputies took a report of a burglary which occurred at a residence on State Route 595.
Several items were taken from taken from the residence, including a firearm and checks.A short time later, the Sheriff’s Office received a call from a local bank, who stated an individual was trying to cash one of the stolen checks. The caller was able to provide a description of the male along with the vehicle he was driving.
Based on the information received from the bank, deputies were able to locate the vehicle on US Route 33, near the rest area.
The deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, and the vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated. The vehicle headed westbound into Fairfield County, while the occupants were throwing various items out the window of the vehicle. The vehicle traveled into Fairfield County and at one point was driving on the wrong side of the roadway. Towards the end of the pursuit, the driver turned the vehicle and attempted to strike one of the Sheriff’s Office cruisers head-on. The deputy was able to avoid a head-on collision, but was still struck and the vehicle was pinned between the cruiser and a guardrail. The two occupants attempted to flee on foot, but only the driver was able to get out of the vehicle. He was apprehended after a short foot pursuit.
The driver and passenger both received medical treatment, and formal charges have not been filed at this time. Once they are medically cleared, charges will be filed and their names will be released.
Deputies recovered a significant amount of suspected fentanyl, and other narcotics from the vehicle. They also recovered a significant amount of stolen property and are working diligently to identify where the property might have been taken from.
Deputies with the assistance of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources scoured the median of US Route 33 in the Rockbridge area and were able to recover some of the items that the individuals had thrown from the vehicle; one being a loaded handgun.
Again, the names of the two individuals are being withheld until they have been medically cleared and charges have been filed.
