Two individuals are in custody after leading officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department on a high-speed pursuit Thursday, March 21, through the city limits and stretched into Hardin County.
Tanner Walls, 23 of East Liberty, and Megan Gross, 33, at-large, each were lodged in the Logan County Jail following the pursuit that began in the area of northbound U.S. Route 68 in the area of Rush Avenue and ended on State Route 309, west of Kenton in Hardin County.
Officers initially were working with the Adult Parole Authority to search a residence at 605 N. Detroit St. While attempting to make contact at the residence, officers observed a black Honda Civic driven by Walls start up the driveway. Police also recognized Gross in the front passenger seat and were aware she had an active warrant for her arrest.
Police began to follow the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop at north Main Street, just north of Rush Avenue. Contact was initially made with the defendants and officers confirmed the active warrant for Gross. When police asked the passenger to step out of the vehicle, Walls reportedly put the car in drive and fled northbound.
Officers pursued the defendant northbound up U.S. 68 towards the county line, reportedly reaching speeds in excess of 120 mph. Contact was made with Hardin County sheriff’s deputies and stop sticks were deployed at the Logan/Hardin county line.
Walls was able to negotiate around the spikes and continued to flee. However, an officer’s cruiser sustained two flat tires after crossing the stop sticks. Bellefontaine police discontinued the chase at that time.
A short time later, police were informed that Hardin County deputies were able to execute a maneuverability stop of the defendant’s vehicle and had the defendants in custody.
The pursuit lasted approximately 25 miles from where it started in Bellefontaine to when Hardin County law enforcement stopped the vehicle west of Kenton. Suspected drug paraphernalia and items for resale including multiple small plastic baggies were located inside the vehicle.
Gross reportedly began experiencing chest pains and was taken at first to Hardin Memorial Hospital to be evaluated.
Walls was transported to the Logan County Jail, but shortly upon arriving at the jail he started to exhibit severe signs of drug usage and was referred to Mary Rutan Hospital for potential treatment.
Both suspects were eventually released from the hospital and lodged in jail.
Walls was charged with fleeing and eluding, a third-degree felony. Gross has been indicted in Logan County Common Pleas court on charges of possession and trafficking in drugs and was lodged on that warrant.
The officer’s cruiser was towed from the scene.