The Marion Police Department says an alert officer noticed erratic driving and chased down the driver early Wednesday morning. It was then learned that the car had just been stolen and the suspect was arrested on multiple felony charges.
At 2:00am Wednesday, October 24, Officer J.T. McCullough of the Marion Police Department was in the area of Jefferson and George Streets when he observed a vehicle with no lights operating in a reckless manner. McCullough attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver refused to stop.
The ensuing pursuit last ten minutes and headed north through Fairpark to the area of Williamsport Road and back south into the near north side of the city. At that point, the driver attempted to navigate a tight turn at an intersection of two alleys near the 190 block of Bellevue Avenue and struck a guidewire of a power pole. The vehicle rolled back off the wire and struck McCullough’s police cruiser.
The suspect, 35-year-old Jason D. Hayes, exited the vehicle and officers said he was non-compliant. He was then subdued with the use of a Taser and taken into custody.
Police say that further investigation into the incident revealed that the vehicle driven by Hayes had been stolen from the 600 block of East Farming Street and he was fleeing the area of that theft when he was spotted by McCullough.
Neither Hayes nor McCullough were injured as a result of the crash. The damage to both vehicles was described as minor.
“This is certainly a case of being in the right place at the right time,” stated Lt. B.J. Gruber of the Marion Police Department. “Officer McCullough’s keen observation and determination led to the apprehension of a suspect that has been arrested for multiple felony charges.”
Hayes was initially arrested on multiple charges, including Felony Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Felony OVI, Fleeing and Eluding, and lesser misdemeanor and tragic offenses. The case will be forwarded to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office for the filing of formal charges.
Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted in the pursuit and arrest. They also assisted with the investigation of the crash scene.
Anyone having information regarding this case is asked to contact the Marion Police Department at 740-387-2525 or the TIPS Line at 740-375-TIPS.
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