BUCYRUS—Nathan Nichols, 24, of Richland County, is in custody at the Crawford County Jail after he led police on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle.
Thursday evening at approximately 7:42 pm, an officer from the Bucyrus Police Department attempted to stop a Black Pontiac G6 for a red-light violation at N. Lane and E. Mary St. The Pontiac briefly stopped on E. Mary St., just long enough for the officer to get a partial plate, and the vehicle sped off—causing a pursuit.
The suspect led officers westbound on Mary St. at a high rate of speed, failing to stop and yield to any traffic devices or pedestrians. Once in the area of W. Mary and W. Mansfield St., the vehicle slowed enough for the officers to get the rest of the plate number, and it was identified as a stolen vehicle out of Richland County.
The suspect continued the high-speed chase westbound onto County Road 330, where the Ohio State Patrol joined and assisted. As the vehicle sped toward Oceola, the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office was notified and assisted by deploying Stop Sticks in the area of TH 231 in their county.
The suspect vehicle ran over the Stop Sticks, and the driver continued westbound for approximately one mile. The vehicle tires gave out, and as the rims began to smoke, the driver eventually stopped.
Nathan Nichols was taken into custody without incident and initially refused to identify himself to officers. Subsequent to Nichol’s arrest, officers conducted a search and inventory of the vehicle, yielding drug abuse instruments and suspected narcotics. OSP remained on scene with the vehicle, which was eventually towed by Lohr’s Towing. The registered owner of the vehicle resides in Richland County and was advised of its recovery.
Mr. Nichols was taken to the Crawford County Justice Center, where he was charged with Failure to Comply (M2), Failure to Disclose Personal Information (M4), Obstructing Official Business (M2), Possessing Drug Abuse Instruments (M2), and Possession of Scheduled Drugs (F5). He is currently being held on those charges and prosecutorial review.
The Bucyrus Police Department would like to thank the Ohio State Patrol and Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and professionalism. The combined team effort resulted in no injuries to innocent people, no damage to uninvolved citizens’ personal properties, and no injuries to officers or Mr. Nichols.