SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio — Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman said two men led deputies on a dangerous pursuit that was out of a Hollywood movie.
According to Sheriff Thoroughman, his deputies were dispatched to a burglary in progress around 3 p.m., Friday in the area of Henley Deemer Road in McDermott.
Witnesses to the burglary told 9-1-1 dispatch that the suspects were driving a vehicle with a loud exhaust system.
Deputy Brian Nolen of the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office located a white Ford Focus traveling along Henley Deemer Road toward route 348. The car, Deputy Nolen said, was towing a brown Ford Focus behind it, and matched the description of the burglars.
Sheriff Thoroughman said his deputy tried to stop the two vehicles when the suspect began accelerating at a high rate of speed. Nolen, reports say, attempted to pass the brown Ford Focus that was being towed in order to get in front of the lead car. It was at this time, Nolan said, the brown Ford Focus swerved, breaking the tow strap, and striking his cruiser in what he described as an “attempt to wreck him.”
Nolan said he was able to use evasive maneuvers to get around the brown Focus and continued pursuit of the lead car.
Thoroughman stated it was at this time a second deputy joined in the chase.
According to reports, Deputy Josh Lewis went in pursuit of the brown Ford Focus while Deputy Nolan pursued the white one.
The white Focus was found, according to the Sheriff, near a house on Pleasant Hill Road. The driver, Charles Hettinger, 35, McDermott was located and taken into custody without incident.
Deputy Lewis stated that the brown Ford Focus continued on before stopping at an address further down the road. The driver, later identified as Cody Bennett, 29, Piketon, took off on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, Lewis said he was able to subdue Bennett and take him into custody.
Upon further investigation, Sheriff Thoroughman said the brown Ford Focus driven by Bennett was reported stolen out of Pike County.
Both men, according to the Prosecutor’s Office, now face multiple felony charges in the incident including felonious assault on a peace officer.