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WICKLINE |
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SIDNEY — A West Virginia man is in custody this morning after leading authorities on high speed chase and manhunt in Shelby County overnight and allegedly shooting at Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputy.
Travis Ray Wickline, 28, of Charleston, was arrested about 3 a.m. Tuesday after a four-hour manhunt, Shelby County deputies report. He was lodged in the Shelby County Jail, and been charged with felonious assault, attempted murder, kidnapping, grand theft auto, weapons under disability and failure to comply with the order or signal of an officer.
A passenger in his vehicle, Ashley Nichole Wayson, 31, of Charleston, W.Va., also was charged with obstruction of justice.
Both defendants have outstanding warrants from West Virginia. His warrant is for aggravated assault with a weapon, and her warrant is for conspiracy to deliver controlled substance. Both subjects’ warrants stated to “use extreme caution” and they were considered armed and dangerous, Shelby County deputies report.
The incident began at 11:05 p.m. Monday when the sheriff’s office received a call from a woman stating she had been carjacked in the Hidden Valley Trailer Park by a white male yielding a firearm.
The suspect, who as later identified as Mr. Wickline, fled the area in the stolen 2005 Toyota Camry.
As deputies were responding to the call, Deputy Joel Howell spotted the stolen vehicle in the 5000 block of State Route 29. He conducted a felony traffic stop due to the brandishing of a firearm in the carjacking.
As Deputy Howell ordered the driver to show his hands and open the car door, the driver then exited the vehicle and started shooting at the deputy. The defendant fired six shots at Howell, who repositioned himself and returned fire, shooting at the vehicle three times.
After a brief stay, Mr. Wickline then fled eastbound on S.R. 29 in the stolen vehicle, and a pursuit continued for approximately 10 minutes, with three Shelby County deputies attempting to stop the vehicle. At times, the fleeing vehicle reached speeds in excess of 100 mph.
The defendant returned to Hidden Valley Trailer Park, where his vehicle struck Deputy Frank Bleigh’s cruiser, disabling it. Deputy Bleigh was injured in the crash and was transported to Wilson Health by Perry Port Salem Rescue, where he was treated and released.
Mr. Wickline then left the trailer park and while on S.R. 29, he stopped and let Ms. Wayson out of his vehicle.
The suspect continued westbound on State Route 29 purposely drove the vehicle into the woods 4000 block. He then fled the area on foot.
During the search, canines from the Auglaize and Champaign County sheriff’s offices were used. Troopers of the Ohio State Highway Patrol used its helicopter for an air search.
Deputies eventually located Mr. Wickline at his parents’ residence, lot 69 in Hidden Valley Trailer Park.
The suspect disclosed the location of the weapon he used and deputies located a loaded .38 revolver in a coat in the master bedroom of the trailer.
Sheriff John Lenhart said other agencies assisting with this incident included the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, Perry Port Salem Rescue and the Sidney Police Department.