Fayette County Sheriff's Office High Speed Chase

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• published: 20 Aug 2016
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Please excuse the "cop speak" below because the information comes from a press release from the Sheriff's office: "Two Montgomery County men were arrested late Sunday evening after leading deputies on a chase that started in Washington Court House and ended in the Village of Leesburg in Highland County. According to Sheriff Vernon Stanforth, Deputy Adam Rummer initiated a traffic stop on Sunday evening at 11:11 p.m. on Temple Street near N. Main Street in Washington Court House after observing traffic violations. The vehicle, a 2007 Lincoln MK4 was being operated by a subject identified as Richard C. Armstrong, Age 32 of Dayton, Ohio. During the traffic stop, a clear plastic baggie was observed in the passenger door of the vehicle, according to Rummer. The passenger in the vehicle was identified as Jerry L. Walther, Age 57 of Dayton, Ohio. Deputy Rummer indicated that upon attempting to retrieve the baggie, Armstrong reportedly placed the vehicle in drive and fled at a high rate of speed with Deputy Rummer and other sheriff’s deputies giving chase on Eyman Park Drive towards the Lakeview Avenue area. During the chase, Deputy Rummer indicated observing items being discarded from the vehicle. The pursuit continued to the center of town and went west on Court Street and onto Leesburg Avenue before turning onto the US 35 West access road. The Washington Court House Police Department assisted during the chase until the suspect vehicle departed the Washington Court House city limits. The suspect vehicle continued to US 22 West and started traveling westbound before abruptly turning to an eastbound direction. During this time, the suspect vehicle and a sheriff’s cruiser collided causing minor damage to both vehicles. The pursuit continued with the suspect vehicle crossing the US 35 East access road and before turning south on US 62 toward the Village of Staunton. The chase continued south on US 62 and entered Highland County where members of the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, the Leesburg Police Department, and Ohio State Highway Patrol were set-up with “stop sticks”. The suspect vehicle came to a stop on SR 28 & US 62 in the Village of Leesburg where Armstrong and Walther were both taken into custody. Deputy Jason Havens and K-9 “Dexi” responded to the area where the items were discarded from the suspect vehicle and subsequently located a substance presumptively identified as cocaine. During the inventory of the vehicle, additional substances presumptively identified as cocaine, heroin, and clonazepam tablets were recovered. The vehicle, registered to Mr. Walther was impounded by the Sheriff’s Office. Walther was charged with Drug Abuse (F5), Tampering with Evidence (F3), and Drug Abuse (M1). Armstrong was charged with Failure to Comply with the Signal/Order of the Police Officer (F3), Tampering with Evidence (F3), Drug Abuse (F5), Drug Abuse (M1), and Driving under Suspension. Both were transported to the Fayette County Jail where they were incarcerated in lieu of bond."