MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon Police Officers pursued a stolen vehicle through the city this morning at speeds occasionally reaching over 80 mph.
According to police reports, at approximately 3:30 a.m., police received a call from Knox County Sheriff’s deputies that they were in pursuit of a full-size 2000 Ford F-450 Dually truck. As deputies neared the city, they broke off and MVPD officers took over the pursuit. Police attempted to stop the vehicle as it sped down West Chestnut Street reaching 70 mph, according to the report.
The suspect then led police from Riverside Drive through several side streets, running through stop signs, before leading officers out of town, heading westbound on West High Street. When the chase led to Ohio 229, the suspect reached speeds of up to 80 mph.
As the suspect turned southbound onto Blue Road, officers obtained the vehicle’s license plate and confirmed that the truck had been reported stolen from the 3800 block of Apple Valley Drive, Howard.
The suspect continued to flee, leading officers onto New Delaware Road, to Dunham Road and to Wigton Road before eventually turning onto Camp Road. The reporting officer stated that once on Camp Road, police made the decision to back off the vehicle.
After losing sight of the stolen truck, police located the vehicle parked at a residence on the 8600 block of Camp Road. One officer saw the suspect running to the rear of the residence. According to the report, MVPD, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Knox County Sheriff’s deputies searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.
The truck reportedly belonged to Variety Contractors Inc., Seville. The owner of the vehicle told police he had loaned the truck to a neighbor, and it was subsequently stolen from that residence.
According to MVPD Capt. George Hartz, detectives are actively pursuing leads on a possible suspect. Hartz declined to comment further as the investigation is ongoing.
Sgt. Troy Glazier, Patrolmen Matt Haver, Tim Arnold and Matt Jones assisted in the pursuit.
