Youngstown man arrested in Struthers after chase

Staff report

STRUTHERS

Police arrested Jermaine Johnson, 18, of Youngstown on misdemeanor charges of criminal damaging and possession of drugs.

According to a police report, Johnson was driving a car that was going between 52 and 55 mph on Poland Avenue with two other passengers at 2:10 a.m. Friday

Johnson didn’t stop when police signaled him, which led to a pursuit. During the chase, Johnson’s vehicle struck the front passenger side of a police cruiser.

Eventually, he stopped on Belden Avenue. Police found a clear plastic bag containing 8.2 grams of suspected marijuana that Johnson initially had hidden before informing police, according to the report.

A police spokesman said $3,000 worth of damage was done to the cruiser, which was a year old and worth $30,000.

Johnson is scheduled to appear in Struthers Municipal Court at 9:30 a.m. Monday.