A high-speed pursuit on I-75 that began in Sidney, Ohio and ended north of Bluffton occurred on the evening of March 21. The Bluffton Police Department issued Nixle alerts notifying residents that suspects had been apprehended. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department has provided additional information.
At 8:23 p.m. an improper lane change resulted in pursuit by Sidney police. Stop sticks caused the vehicle to halt north of the County Road 12 overpass.
There were two occupants in the car, James Bridget and Clif Williams of Michigan. One suspect was apprehended immediately. The other fled on foot, resulting in a search including a helicopter and tracking dog. At 9:32 p.m. the second suspect, who came out with his hands up, was apprehended near a wooded area.
Agencies assisting in the incident include the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio State Highway Patrol.
WFIN.com has reported that the man charged with involuntary manslaughter in the March 31, 2022 death of Bluffton Police Officer Dominic Francis has pled guilty and been sentenced in Hancock County Common Pleas Court.
On Tuesday afternoon. March 21, 2023, Emin Johnson, 21, was sentenced to 21 to 26 and a half years in prison. The term is for consective sentences on six charges.
The Bluffton Police Department has issued the following update regarding an incident north of the Village of Bluffton:
On March 15th at approximately 1130pm Officers from the Bluffton Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle for a speeding violation.
The vehicle fled from officers and traveled northbound on Interstate 75. The fleeing vehicle crossed into the southbound lanes and drove through a ditch where it eventually stopped, and the occupants fled the vehicle.
Two juvenile suspects were located a short time later and were arrested and transported to the Allen County Juvenile Detention Center.
We would like to remind everyone that Road Closed means exactly that. We've received several complaints of motorists driving around and through the road closed signs at Bentley Rd and S Main St/Harmon Rd.
Please respect the road closures as they are there for your safety. The only vehicular traffic permitted are residents that live within the closure, and construction company employees and other authorized personnel.
