MANSFIELD — Authorities say a man driving a stolen car was shot by police during a pursuit through two counties in northern Ohio that ended after he stole a highway patrol cruiser and a minivan.
The chase started just after 1:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon in Richland County when Ohio State highway Patrol troopers spotted what they believed was a stolen vehicle at a rest stop on Route 30 near I-71 outside Mansfield.
A 31-year-old Mount Gilead man drove off in it and troopers decided to initiate a traffic stop after they determined the vehicle was operating recklessly, but the driver did not stop and a chase ensued, according to the patrol.
During the chase the driver struck multiple cars, causing the one he was driving to break down in a yard in Ontario.
After he refused to get out of the car, the patrol said the man and a woman who was with him approached an OSHP cruiser and shots were fired.
The couple fled in that cruiser and a second chase got underway, during which the man allegedly carjacked a minivan, leaving behind the woman involved in the initial incident, the minivan’s driver and passenger.
Troopers caught up with the minivan near State Route 511 in Ashland County and took the man into custody, according to the release from the patrol.