Man Arrested After Slow-Speed Chase in Stolen Heavy Equipment

Introduction

PAINESVILLE TOWNSHIP, Ohio – A man is now in custody after leading Ohio authorities on a slow-speed chase in a stolen piece of heavy equipment early on Saturday morning. The incident took place in Painesville, a town located approximately 30 miles northeast of Cleveland. According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were alerted to a suspicious person at the county’s Engineer’s Office at around 5 a.m.

Stolen Wheel Loader

The suspect, identified as a 54-year-old man, was spotted inside the property’s salt dome. He then proceeded to steal a Case 721D wheel loader, prompting the deputies to take action. Despite their attempts to stop the suspect, he refused to comply, leading to a slow-speed pursuit. The chase never exceeded 10 miles per hour, and even an effort to use a tire deflation device proved unsuccessful due to the thickness of the tires.

A Residential Area Encounter

The pursuit eventually made its way through a residential area, capturing the attention of local residents. Amberlynn White-Finney caught the wheel loader and the accompanying deputies passing by her home during the chase. A video of the incident was shared, offering a glimpse of the unusual scene.

Conclusion and Arrest

After about three and a half miles on the run, the suspect finally stopped near an elementary school. However, he refused to exit the stolen vehicle, leading to his arrest. The 54-year-old man was subsequently taken to the Lake County Jail, where he awaits arraignment. Further details surrounding the incident are yet to be disclosed by the sheriff’s office.

Source

Image: Amberlynn White-Finney via WJW