Man, 27, faces additional felonious-assault charge

Associated Press

LISBON

A man who reportedly assaulted Columbiana County Sheriff Ray Stone to get away when deputies attempted to take him into custody on a warrant now faces an additional felonious assault charge.

Chief Deputy Allen Haueter said Stone and four deputies followed up on a tip Lucas Sims was at a camper on Oakridge Road outside of Wellsville.

Previously, deputies attempted to arrest him on a warrant for failure to pay child support, and he had jumped out of a camper window. That led to additional charges of fleeing and eluding and resisting arrest.

On Thursday, deputies surrounded the camper, and when Sims, 27, jumped from a window, Stone was there to grab him.

Haueter said Sims applied a stiff arm, knocking Stone to the ground. In the process, Sims’ shirt was torn from his body. A foot-pursuit ensued through the hills. Deputies brought in the Ohio State Highway Patrol and St. Clair Township canine unit, but they were unable to track Sims.

Haueter said deputies learned Sims reportedly stopped at a woman’s house on Boyd Road, asking to use the telephone and using the story he had wrecked his four-wheeler. He was wearing only boxer shorts and tennis shoes.

A reward is being offered by the U.S. Marshals office in Youngstown for information leading to the apprehension of Sims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s department, 330-424-7255, or the marshal’s office. Besides Oakridge Road, Sims has been known to have multiple addresses in East Liverpool and to spend time in West Virginia.

Haueter said deputies did take into custody Sims’ 17-year-old girlfriend, who also was in the camper. She is in Tobin Center accused of harboring a fugitive.