Suspect in local theft leads law enforcement on 3-county chase
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
A pursuit of a suspect connected to charges of theft in Highland County led law enforcement officers on a chase through three counties, before finally being apprehended in Brown County, according to Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward.
Jerrod Messer Jr., 20, of Goshen, was taken into custody following the pursuit by officers with the Highland County Sheriff's Office, using the county's aircraft, and departments in Clermont, Clinton and Brown counties, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Ward told The Highland County Press that during the course of a local investigation into a heavy equipment theft on Oct. 31, evidence led them to a residence in Clermont County.
"Our department was investigating the theft of a truck, trailer and diesel fuel tanker," Ward said. "We had information the vehicle and suspects may be in Clermont County at a couple of specific addresses, and we took the aircraft down there, where the stolen equipment was spotted." Ward said that Messer allegedly saw the aircraft and attempted to hook up the trailer and fled in the truck.
"A pursuit ensued, with our aircraft working air support with law enforcement on the ground," Ward said. "It started around noon and lasted several hours, through Clermont, Clinton and Brown counties. It was a rather lengthy pursuit in and out of roadways, cornfields and wooded areas."
During the pursuit, several law enforcement vehicle sustained damage due to some off the off-road terrain.
"Without the aircraft, we would not have been able to take the suspect into custody (on Wednesday)," Ward said, "due to the terrain the pursuit covered. "He (allegedly) tried to run over police officers on foot, several patrol cars were hit, he almost hit a farmer in a field. It was a situation where several counties were involved, so the communication situation was a challenge, but everyone worked together to bring this to a conclusion where no one was seriously hurt, either the suspect, police officers or citizens."
According to a news release from the Brown County Sheriff's Office, "Two cruisers from the Brown County Sheriff’s office sustained damage as a result of the pursuit. One Brown County deputy was transported to the Mt. Orab Mercy Hospital where he was treated and released for injuries he sustained. The pursuit ended near Eubanks Road in a wooded area, where Messer ran from the truck. The Highland County Sheriff’s Office and the State Highway Patrol’s air units remained in the area as Messer ran from the stolen truck. The Brown County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit apprehended the suspect a short time later and he was transported to the Brown County Adult Detention Center where he remains in custody awaiting a bond hearing."
Brown County authorities said they will be charging Messer with the following: two counts of felonious assault on a police officer, receiving stolen property and felony fleeing and eluding.
Additional charges are possible in Clermont and Highland counties.
"We area still working the investigation as far as the theft cases and how they tie in with the suspect," Ward said. "Highland County charges could be filed in the future, as soon as we complete our investigation."
Ward said that Messer's brother, Josh Messer was arrested this week in Clermont county.
According to the Clermont County Sheriff's Office Joshua Messer, was arrested Thursday on charges related to having a meth lab.
According to the CCSO website, Joshua Messer is charged with illegal assembly or possession of chemicals used in the manufacture of drugs, a felony of the second degree; driving under the influence, and OVI suspension.
It was not indicated whether or not he was involved in the Highland County case.
Ward said that Jarrod Messer is a suspect in thefts in Adams County, and said that he has a history of being a flight risk.
"This is a suspect that is going to be tied to several cases," Ward said. "He is a danger to society, and the county is safer today with him in the Brown County jail."
A pursuit of a suspect connected to charges of theft in Highland County led law enforcement officers on a chase through three counties, before finally being apprehended in Brown County, according to Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward.
Jerrod Messer Jr., 20, of Goshen, was taken into custody following the pursuit by officers with the Highland County Sheriff's Office, using the county's aircraft, and departments in Clermont, Clinton and Brown counties, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Ward told The Highland County Press that during the course of a local investigation into a heavy equipment theft on Oct. 31, evidence led them to a residence in Clermont County.
"On Wednesday, our department was investigating the theft of a truck, trailer and diesel fuel tanker," Ward said. "We had information the vehicle and suspects may be in Clermont County at a couple of specific addresses, and we took the aircraft down there, where the stolen equipment was spotted."
Ward said that Messer allegedly saw the aircraft and attempted to hook up the trailer and fled in the truck.
Ward said that Messer allegedly saw the aircraft and attempted to hook up the trailer and fled in the truck.
"A pursuit ensued, with our aircraft working air support with law enforcement on the ground," Ward said. "It started around noon and lasted several hours, through Clermont, Clinton and Brown counties. It was a rather lengthy pursuit in and out of roadways, cornfields and wooded areas."
During the pursuit, several law enforcement vehicles sustained damage due to some off the off-road terrain, and one officer sustained minor injuries.
"Without the aircraft, we would not have been able to take the suspect into custody (on Wednesday)," Ward said, "due to the terrain the pursuit covered. "He (allegedly) tried to run over police officers on foot, several patrol cars were hit, he almost hit a farmer in a field. It was a situation where several counties were involved, so the communication situation was a challenge, but everyone worked together to bring this to a conclusion where no one was seriously hurt, either the suspect, police officers or citizens."
According to a news release from the Brown County Sheriff's Office, "Two cruisers from the Brown County Sheriff’s office sustained damage as a result of the pursuit. One Brown County deputy was transported to the Mt. Orab Mercy Hospital where he was treated and released for injuries he sustained. The pursuit ended near Eubanks Road in a wooded area, where Messer ran from the truck. The Highland County Sheriff’s Office and the State Highway Patrol’s air units remained in the area as Messer ran from the stolen truck. The Brown County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit apprehended the suspect a short time later and he was transported to the Brown County Adult Detention Center where he remains in custody awaiting a bond hearing."
Brown County authorities said they will be charging Messer with the following: two counts of felonious assault on a police officer, receiving stolen property and felony fleeing and eluding.
Additional charges are possible in Clermont and Highland counties.
"We area still working the investigation as far as the theft cases and how they tie in with the suspect," Ward said. "Highland County charges could be filed in the future, as soon as we complete our investigation."
Ward said that Messer's brother, Josh Messer was arrested this week in Clermont County.
According to the Clermont County Sheriff's Office Joshua Messer, was arrested Thursday on charges related to having a meth lab.
According to the CCSO website, Joshua Messer is charged with illegal assembly or possession of chemicals used in the manufacture of drugs, a felony of the second degree; driving under the influence, and OVI suspension.
It was not indicated whether or not he was involved in the Highland County case.
Ward said that Jarrod Messer is a suspect in thefts in Adams County, and said that he has a history of being a flight risk.
"This is a suspect that is going to be tied to several cases," Ward said. "He is a danger to society, and the county is safer today with him in the Brown County jail."