Suspect leads police in cross-county chase

CLARK CO., Ohio (WDTN) - A suspect is in custody after leading multiple police agencies on a cross-county pursuit Sunday afternoon.

According to officials, the chase began in Champaign County just before 5 p.m. Sunday. The suspect, driving a purple pick-up truck, led police across Champaign, Clark, Greene and Montgomery counties with speeds reaching up to 100 mph.

After leading police through Champaign and Clark counties, the suspect got off the interstate in Vandalia. He then reportedly attempted to rob Frisch's on Miller Lane in Vandalia. Officials said he drove through the drive-thru, said he had a weapon, and then demanded money.

The suspect then robbed the Subway on Needmore Road in Dayton. Officials stated the man acted as though he had a weapon in his pocket and demanded money from an employee.  Police say the suspect got away with an  undisclosed amount of money.

After robbing the Subway, he led police on a high-speed chase back through Clark County.

Police said the suspect was headed north on state route 72 when he ran over 'stop sticks' deployed by police.  The suspect lost control of his pick-up truck and crashed into a police cruiser on the roadway outside of Springfield.

Both the suspect and police sergeant, who was involved in the crash, were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The Clark County Sheriff identified the Clark County sergeant involved as Sergeant Scott Elliot. 

Chief Deputy Rick Jordan with the Champaign County Sheriff's office identified the suspect as Shane Stokes of north Lewisburg.

"Deputies attempted to serve Stokes with a warrant at a home on Springfield-Urbana Pike in Urbana," said Chief Deputy Rick Jordan.  "Stokes is wanted on burglary and attempted burglary charges."

Chief Deputy Jordan said Stokes got in his truck and sped off after noticing deputies. 

The section of State Route 72 was closed for a few hours while police investigated the crash.

No charges have been filed as of Sunday evening.