Chillicothe, OH, January 14, 2025 – A dramatic pursuit ended with the arrest of a 44-year-old man on theft and drug-related charges after he stole a cruiser from the Ohio State Patrol (OSP) and led authorities on a high-speed chase toward the city limits.
According to Chillicothe police, officers were dispatched to the area near Valero on South Paint Street after receiving reports that a male subject had taken an OSP cruiser. The suspect was reportedly being pursued by OSP officers on State Route 772 heading toward Chillicothe.
As the pursuit neared the Valero station, Chillicothe police officer Samantha Taczak, stationed at the scene, deployed stop sticks in an attempt to halt the suspect’s progress. The first cruiser in the pursuit ran over the stop sticks, causing the vehicle to come to a quick halt.
OSP officers then conducted a felony stop and arrested Tommy Cantrell Jr., 44, who was charged with theft without consent, failure to comply with an officer’s order, and possession of drug abuse instruments.
Cantrell is currently being held at the Ross County Jail while authorities continue their investigation into the incident.
