This morning at approximately 7:18AM Mansfield Police Officers were approached by a young black female inside the Kroger store located at 1500 Lexington Avenue, who advised that her boyfriend was in a vehicle in the parking lot with a handgun and had refused to allow her friend to exit the vehicle and go into the store with her. She further advised, her boyfriend had broken into her home the night before and had been holding them both, against their will since that time. Before officers could stop her, the female then left the store and entered a silver vehicle in the parking lot. The officers then attempted to stop the vehicle which fled at a high rate of speed. Officers lost sight of the vehicle shortly after their attempt to stop it but were able to obtain a license plate number.
Additional Mansfield Police Officers responded to the area in an attempt to relocate the vehicle. A “Be On the LookOut” (BOLO) was initiated and other area law enforcement agencies responded to the area. A Ohio State Highway Patrol Unit located the vehicle a short time later and a pursuit ensued with the suspect vehicle eventually crashing at a location in the 700 block of West Hanley Road, striking a utility pole. The suspect driver, a 17 year old black male, then attempted to flee on foot at which time he stepped on a live wire and was “electrocuted”. He was then taken into custody, transported to a hospital and is expected to recover. The two female victims (ages 17 and 19 years old) in the vehicle were, also, transported to an area hospital for treatment and are expected to recover. A loaded firearm was located at the scene.
Detectives are working with the other law enforcement agencies who assisted with the suspect’s apprehension. Due to the ongoing current investigation, no additional information will be released at this time. We are asking that anyone who may have additional information concerning this case to contact Detective James Perry at (419) 755-9730