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Warren man faces felony charges after car chase, crashing into pizza parlor
By Sarah Lehr
GIRARD
A man is facing several felony charges after leading police on a chase and crashing into a Girard pizza shop Sunday.
According to a police report, a Weathersfield police officer signaled a pickup driver to pull over near North State Street for failure to use a turn signal and for having an active warrant for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Instead, the pickup driver, Keith Adams Jr., 19, of Warren sped up and wove in and out of traffic, driving other cars off the road, the report says.
Adams crashed his pickup into a brick wall of Melfi & Santangelo Pizza Parlor and Italian Deli at the corner of North State Street and Townsend Avenue after failing to make a turn.
Police said Adams next attempted to run away on foot and reached his hand into his pocket. The officer then used a stun gun on Adams, the report states.
City police and fire officials also responded to the scene. The Ohio State Highway Patrol handled the crash report.
Girard Mayor James Melfi, who is the pizzeria’s owner, estimates the damage near $35,000, since an entire wall will have to be replaced.
Melfi was not at the business when the incident occurred. One employee was in the store at the time. She was uninjured.
“She told me it sounded like a bomb went off,” Melfi said.
“We’re very, very happy no one was injured,” he added. “Some innocent lives could have been taken because of the ridiculous actions of another. This really didn’t have to take place.”
Police found suspected crack on Adams in addition to a handgun and suspected marijuana in his truck.
Adams is charged with failure to comply with the signal of a police officer, carrying a concealed weapon, improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and possession of controlled substances.
He was transported to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital due to minor injuries from the accident.
He was arraigned Monday in Niles Municipal Court and will face a Dec. 16 preliminary hearing.
The pizzeria will be closed until further notice, Melfi said.