Escape case turned over to grand jury

AUSTINTOWN -- The case against a New Road man who police say escaped from Mahoning County Court here Dec. 10 has been turned over to a county grand jury.
Ronald L. Simpson III, 19, of New Road, faces 11 felony charges in connection with the escape and subsequent chase by township police. Judge David D'Apolito turned the case over to the grand jury after a hearing Monday night.
Simpson is charged with driving under suspension, grand theft, two counts of aggravated vehicular assault, two counts of felony escape, two counts of failure to comply with the order of a police officer and three counts of felony vandalism.
He wore shackles on his arms and legs, and he was surrounded by four Mahoning County deputy sheriffs when he appeared in court.
Police said he escaped from custody after a domestic violence hearing Dec. 10 and stole a van that contained two guns.
He led police on a chase, slamming into a passenger car and a police car and injuring one officer, authorities said.
According to police reports, Simpson told police he had unlocked leg irons with a piece of metal he found in the court holding cell. He was not handcuffed at that time.