Chase brings slew of charges

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A city man faces several charges after police say he led them on a high-speed chase through Mill Creek Park.

Police charged Calvin Wilson, 23, of Ford Avenue, with driving under suspension, carrying a concealed weapon, illegal possession of a weapon, child endangerment, two counts of drug possession, burglary, fleeing and eluding, and minor traffic violations.

Wilson was arraigned Thursday in Youngstown Municipal Court. His bond was set at $245,000, and he is in the Mahoning County jail. He will appear in court again Thursday.

According to a police report, a woman and 4-month-old child were in his car during the chase.

About 8 p.m. Wednesday on the city’s West Side, officers pulled over a maroon Buick on Mahoning Avenue after noticing the car’s bumper hanging from the side.

According to the report, Wilson told police his driver’s license was suspended. He got out of the car at the request of officers. During a search, police removed a purple velvet sack from Wilson’s pocket. Police said the sack contained suspected heroin and cocaine.

Wilson then shoved the officer, got back into the vehicle and closed the door, nearly smashing the officer’s hand grasping the window frame, according to the report.

Wilson then drove south on Schenley Avenue at speeds in excess of 90 mph. He turned left through a red light, according to the report, nearly hitting other vehicles as he drove into the park.

Police said he continued through the park at dangerous speeds before pulling into a dead-end parking lot. He got out of the car and began to run.

The female passenger told police she had pleaded with Wilson to stop. Police said Wilson had retrieved a handgun from under his seat and placed it on his lap during the chase. As the car stopped, he threw the gun at the woman’s feet. The woman tossed the gun to the side of the road where police later found it, the report said.

Officers lost track of Wilson in the park but later were notified that Wilson forced his way into a house on Brantford Boulevard. The homeowner repeatedly asked him to leave, the report said.

Wilson left the residence and was arrested behind a nearby house, police said.