A Newark man remained incarcerated in the Guernsey County jail Monday after an alleged carjacking at a Southgate Parkway business Saturday night and a high-speed pursuit that spanned two counties.
Authorities declined to release the identity of the 36-year-old man until charges are filed.
He was jailed on a felony investigation hold issued by Cambridge police after being arrested by Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers at the conclusion of the pursuit in Belmont County.
No injuries were reported as a result of the carjacking or pursuit.
According to reports, Cambridge police officers were dispatched to The Forum restaurant on Southgate Parkway at approximately 9:30 p.m. after a caller advised shots were fired outside the restaurant and a blue minivan was stolen by the alleged gunman. Initial reports indicated the driver of the vehicle was possibly shot.
On arrival, officers discovered the female motorist had not been shot, but her Toyota van had been stolen by an individual described as a heavy-set white male wearing a dark coat with a “hoodie.” He was believed to be 5-foot-10 to 6-foot.
The van was last seen traveling westbound on I-70 at a high rate of speed.
A short time later, a 911 caller reported being passed by a van matching the description of the one stolen. The caller advised the driver didn’t have the van¹s headlights illuminated.
At 9:45 p.m., an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper observed the van drive behind a motel on Glenn Highway (U.S. 22/40).
As additional law enforcement officials converged on the motel, the driver in the van fled the scene. Authorities attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver failed to stop.
The van reportedly entered eastbound I-70 at Route 723 and continued to flee eastbound through Guernsey County.
Speeds during the pursuit by troopers and deputies reportedly varied from 55 miles-per-hour to 100 mph near the Old Washington exit.
As authorities continued to pursue the van eastbound, troopers deployed spikes at two locations — miles posts 202 and 204 — in Belmont County.
At 10:11 p.m., the highway patrol reported the van had struck the spikes at mile post 202 and was stopping.
The male was taken into custody just a minute later, according to radio traffic. He was taken into custody without incident.
Troopers reported finding a cap gun on the passenger¹s seat inside the van.
The gun was seized as evidence.
During their investigation, Cambridge police discovered the man allegedly threatened the woman, advising her she would be harmed if she didn’t give him her van.
The driver told police that when the suspect approached the vehicle, she advised her granddaughter to run from the van.
She said the male entered the vehicle on the passenger side and, flipping up his hood, appeared to be coming after her. She then stepped from the vehicle and fled on foot into the nearby restaurant.
Cambridge police searched the area around the Glenn Highway motel for a possible second suspect, but later determined the male acted alone.
The incident remained under investigation by Cambridge police.
rstillion@daily-jeff.com
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