CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – The Ross County Grand Jury has indicted two individuals on several charges, including grand theft and receiving stolen property.
Chad A. Benarth, 44, of Chillicothe, faces charges of grand theft, breaking and entering, and receiving stolen property.The charges stem from incidents alleged to have occurred on April 12 and April 19, 2024. Benarth faces a potential prison sentence of up to 18 months on the fourth-degree felony charge and up to 12 months on each fifth-degree felony charge.
Taylor R. Harrison, 33, of Cleveland, faces charges of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer and receiving stolen property. The charges are related to an alleged incident on April 3, 2024. Harrison could face up to 36 months in prison on the third-degree felony charge and up to 18 months on the fourth-degree felony charge.
In April, Taylor Harrison allegedly led law enforcement on a chase that reached speeds approaching 100 miles per hour. The Ohio Highway Patrol initially terminated the pursuit as it crossed into Ross County.
However, Ross County deputies spotted the stolen vehicle, a silver Nissan Sentra, and re-initiated the chase. The pursuit continued along Route 35, with law enforcement deploying spike strips in an attempt to stop the out-of-control driver.
According to a pursuing deputy, Harrison struck a set of spikes, causing a front passenger tire to deflate. Despite this, the chase continued toward the Route 35/23 split. Harrison then turned onto Route 23, braking suddenly before driving down a hill and turning around into oncoming southbound traffic.
The pursuit continued with Harrison driving westbound in the eastbound lane of Route 35, forcing oncoming traffic to swerve. A Ross County deputy attempted a PIT maneuver (Precision Immobilization Technique) to stop the vehicle, but Harrison managed to escape.
Multiple deputies eventually boxed in the fleeing suspect. Reports indicate that Harrison began experiencing a seizure, possibly from a drug overdose, after being extracted from the vehicle at gunpoint.
Harrison was transported to a hospital for treatment and later booked into the Ross County Jail. The vehicle was confirmed stolen earlier in the day from Wellston, Ohio.
Both defendants were indicted on May 10, 2024. Arraignment dates have not yet been announced.