Car Chase Ends In Crash, Foot Pursuit In Cleveland Heights

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — A car chase ended in a crash and a foot race last week, according to police reports obtained by Patch. One man is in custody after the incident.

At 1 a.m. on October 15, a patrolling police officer spotted a stolen Kia in the parking lot of the Sunoco Gas Station on Lee Road. The officer radioed for backup and then followed the car to the intersection of Lee and Oak Road.

At the intersection, with backup in tow, officers tried to stop the car. Instead of pulling over, the Kia sped up, and tried to escape police, according to records. Officers gave chase.

The car chase hit speeds of 50 mph, but Cleveland Heights' streets were mostly deserted at that time, police records said.

The Kia circled around Lee and then drove into East Cleveland on Lee Boulevard. After maneuvering, the car turned onto St. Clair Avenue, with two Cleveland Heights patrol cars following.

However, during the pursuit, one of the cop cars began experiencing mechanical issues and fell away from the chase. One patrol car was left pursuing the Kia.

The lone cop car began to lose sight of the Kia near E. 105th and St. Clair, according to police records. However, as the officer rounded the bend, he saw a plume of smoke billowing. The Kia had crashed and the driver had taken off running, police records said.

A K9 unit was brought in to track the driver, who was eventually caught while jumping a fence in a backyard, police records indicated. Police said the driver is a 19-year-old.

Officers then searched the Kia and found a handgun, an empty handgun magazine, and an ammunition loader.

The 19-year-old driver faces charges of receiving stolen property (a motor vehicle), failure to comply and fleeing police.