ASHVILLE, Ohio — A local man with four active warrants for his arrest was taken into custody on Saturday, June 27, 2026, after leading a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement team on a sweeping foot pursuit through rural cornfields that ultimately disrupted cross-country rail traffic.
Mitchell Cordell faces a string of severe new charges following his arrest near Hagerty Road after running from Pickaway County Sheriff’s deputies and state troopers.
Lock-In on Sunnyside Street
The incident began around 3:00 p.m. when Pickaway County dispatchers received an emergency call from terrified residents inside a home at 17180 Sunnyside Street in Ashville. Family members reported that Cordell had unexpectedly shown up and was sitting on their front porch. Refusing to interact with him, the residents retreated inside and locked all their doors.
Responding deputies were advised by dispatch that Cordell was wanted on four active warrants and possessed a documented history of fleeing from law enforcement.
The Chase Begins: Trains Halted
When Sgt. Montgomery, Sgt. McIntyre, and Deputy Little pulled up to the Sunnyside Street residence, Cordell immediately bolted. He leaped over a fence and ignored direct orders to stop, disappearing into a nearby cornfield.
As deputies pursued him, Deputy Vangundy spotted Cordell trespassing on the adjacent railroad tracks, heading south. Because Cordell was actively running along the line, dispatchers had to issue emergency alerts to both Norfolk Southern and CSX transportation networks to immediately halt all oncoming train travel, causing a major disruption to commercial rail traffic.
Setting the Perimeter
Cordell then dove into a second cornfield to evade capture, prompting a massive multi-agency response. Law enforcement quickly locked down a tight perimeter surrounding the area, cutting off escape routes at Hagerty Road, Ward Road, and the railroad tracks.
To track the fleeing suspect, Sgt. Dauberman deployed an aerial drone over the canopy of the crops, while Deputy Vangundy scaled the roof of his patrol vehicle with binoculars to scout the field lines.
After spotting fresh footprints pressing into the dirt, an entry team pushed deep into the corn rows. Realizing he was cornered, Cordell broke from the cover of the crops and sprinted southeast toward the edge of the perimeter.
“Mitchell appeared and began to run south. Deputy Little and multiple Ohio State Troopers ordered Mitchell to get down… Mitchell complied and was placed into handcuffs.” > — Pickaway County Sheriff’s Report
Apprehension, Medical Clearance, and Official Charges
Cordell ran directly into a secondary perimeter line established by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Confronted by a wall of state troopers and sheriff’s deputies, Cordell finally ceased running and dropped to the ground.
Deputies noted that after handcuffs were secured, Cordell went “dead weight” in an attempt to make it difficult for law enforcement to move him, requiring multiple units to lift and carry him into the back of a cruiser.
Upon arrival at the Pickaway County Jail, facility medical staff refused to admit Cordell due to an elevated heart rate and an infected, pre-existing head injury. He was transported by deputies to the OhioHealth Berger Hospital Emergency Room, where he was evaluated and medically cleared for incarceration.
Following his release from the hospital, Cordell was booked into the Pickaway County Jail. Court records show his official charges have since been updated to include:
- Railroad Vandalism or Criminal Trespass (Two Counts)
- Failure to Comply with an Order or Signal of a Police Officer * Obstructing Official Business * Domestic Violence (Knowingly causing physical harm)
- Assault (Knowingly harming a victim)
