Suspect flees law enforcement

A motorist led law enforcement on a pursuit through several county roads Thursday afternoon, ending after the suspect bailed from the vehicle and fled into a wooded area. 

Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward said the incident began at approximately 1:24 p.m. when a deputy was on road patrol in the Boston area. 

"The deputy observed a vehicle northbound on Beechwood Road," Ward said. "The vehicle ran the stop sign at U.S. 50 and continued northbound on Keplinger Road. The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle on a traffic violation." 

Ward said the driver allegedly did not follow the officer's signal and did not pull over. 

The vehicle was a white, four-door car, driven by a white male. 

The pursuit continued from Keplinger Road, to Petersburg Road, north on Stoney Point Road, and then eastbound on state Route 138.

"Leesburg and Greenfield Police Departments had units working, and they were advised that the pursuit was headed in their general direction," Ward said. "The car then turned northbound on Duff Road off state Route 138 and went approximately one mile, where the vehicle stopped in the roadway and the driver bailed and fled into a wooded area."  

A canine unit from the GPD was on the scene within a few minutes, Ward said. 

"They attempted to track him for an hour, but without success," he said. "We're investigating the registered owner of the vehicle to try to identify the driver of the pursuit and pursue the appropriate charge."

Ward said that the vehicle was impounded from the scene. Ward said that he would not classify the incident as a "high speed" chase, although risk is involved in pursuing a suspect.

"Any time there is a pursuit there is a risk, but it wasn't of a great enough nature for the pursuit to be terminated, at least to the point in time that it ended," Ward said. 

This incident remains under investigation by the Highland County Sheriff's Office. Anyone with information can contact the office at (937) 393-1421.