Two police cars collide during chase

TROTWOOD, Ohio (WDTN) - The chase begins in Trotwood. The dash cam video camera of Trotwood Sergeant Fred Beck is rolling as he chases two armed robbery suspects. Following close behind Sergeant Beck, is Officer Mike Richardson. Two men, trying to evade capture in a blue Chevy Cavalier, are accused of snatching a purse from a woman at a Trotwood Target store.

Cruising at speeds of more than 80 miles per hour, a pickup truck nearly pulls out in front of Sergeant Beck, causing him to take evasive action. Minutes later, as the suspect car swerves around a Preble county deputy's car, Sergeant Beck hits the cruiser as it pulls in front of him. Trotwood officers are still scratching their heads at how this accident happened.

"This was a fluke, it's hard to speculate on what the deputy was thinking at the time."

Officer Richardson stopped chasing the suspects momentarily to check on his fellow officer. Richardson is given the all clear that Sergeant Beck is okay and is asked to continue to capture the suspects. Trotwood captain John Porter believes the deputy misjudged her distance.

"It's difficult it could have been a judgment call believing that there was some more room there between where the bad guy came through and where our officer was coming next."

After nearly an hour, detectives finally stopped the duo on a dirt road where they were arrested and taken back to Trotwood for questioning.

"I think everybody operated well within their guidelines and i think operated very well and its an unfortunate situation when an accident like this happens though."

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. Both law enforcement officers are expected to be okay.