3 arrested after high-speed Ohio chase; 4th suspect sought

CINCINNATI (AP) — Three South Florida residents were jailed today in southwest Ohio and a fourth person was still being sought after a lengthy, high-speed chase involving a vehicle linked to possible criminal activity in the Detroit area, authorities said.

Police outside Cincinnati said the Lincoln MKZ topped 120 mph during a chase that ended when they used devices to deflate the vehicle’s tires Tuesday evening.

Troopers said the Ohio State Highway Patrol began pursuing the vehicle in western Ohio’s Auglaize County some 100 miles away more than an hour earlier.

“The pursuit was terminated a short time later due to reckless and aggressive driving by the suspect vehicle,” Highway Patrol Lt. Anne Ralston said. Patrol cruisers from several posts along southbound Interstate 75 took up the pursuit but stopped for safety reasons, she said. No one was injured during the chase.

A Hamilton County sheriff’s helicopter followed overhead as the car turned onto Interstate 275 north of Cincinnati. It exited, almost hitting a police cruiser, and was driving “all over the road” after returning to the interstate, according to a Sharonville police report. After the tires were deflated, the vehicle turned onto a side road and the helicopter crew reported seeing four occupants running away.

Three were arrested, while a young man escaped during a lengthy search involving multiple police agencies, Sharonville police said. Police didn’t identify the suspect.