A 35-year-old Akron man was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon after leading police on a pursuit along Interstate 77 and U.S. 250, authorities said.
The incident began around 2:46 p.m. when Sgt. Matthew Boyer of the Ohio State Highway Patrol observed a Jeep Grand Cherokee commit a lane violation on I-77 between Strasburg and Dover, according to Sgt. Bill Bower of the patrol’s New Philadelphia post. Boyer attempted a traffic stop, but the driver failed to comply, prompting a chase.
The Jeep continued south on I-77, exited onto U.S. 250 at New Philadelphia, and crossed the median, striking a sign and crashing into a guardrail, Bower said. The vehicle then exited onto West High Avenue, cut through a Burger King parking lot, and continued onto Bluebell Drive before stopping in the Walmart parking lot.
The driver was arrested without incident at 2:53 p.m., Bower said.
Charges against the man include a lane violation, driving with a suspended license, and failure to comply, a third-degree misdemeanor. He will also face a failure-to-control charge for the crash on U.S. 250. Authorities said the man had two outstanding minor misdemeanor warrants in other counties.
The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the pursuit, and New Philadelphia police provided backup at Walmart.
The suspect was taken to the Tuscarawas County Jail and is awaiting a hearing in New Philadelphia Municipal Court.
