YOUNGSTOWN Inmate found dead in his cell
The man was wearing the uniform of a Leetonia cop when arrested.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Mahoning County Coroner's office is investigating the death of a county jail inmate.
Sean M. Finch, 28, of Petersburg, was found dead in his cell at about 7:10 a.m. Wednesday, said Sheriff Randall Wellington.
Wellington said Finch had been brought to the jail shortly after 5 a.m. and was reviewed by a nursing staff. His vital statistics were normal at that time.
He ate breakfast and lay down on a pillow and bed in a cell. A deputy later found him unresponsive.
Arrest
Finch had been arrested on charges of felony failure to comply with the order of a police officer and misdemeanor improper handling of a firearm, discharge of a firearm, driving under suspension and reckless operation.
He was arrested after a police chase in Beaver and Canfield townships. Police said he had fired four shots at the Mellinger's Nursery building after pulling into the lot on state Route 165 at about 1:05 a.m.
An officer running radar to catch speeders was also in the lot. When Finch spotted him, he fled with a chase into Washingtonville and Canfield, where a Canfield officer set spike strips on the roadway to flatten Finch's tires, police said. Finch was arrested on Western Reserve Road.
Beaver Township Police Chief Carl N. Frost said Finch was wearing the police uniform of his brother, a Leetonia officer. He said Finch had stolen his brother's uniform, badge, gun and car.
Frost said Finch had shot at the building because his girlfriend, who worked there, had been disciplined or fired.