Man shot during pursuit involving stolen police cruiser

MANSFIELD, Ohio (AP) — A man driving a stolen car was shot twice by police during a pursuit that went through two counties in northern Ohio and ended after he stole a state highway patrol cruiser and a minivan, authorities said.

The chase started Sunday afternoon in Richland County, when troopers spotted what they believed was a stolen vehicle at a rest stop on westbound Route 30. As they prepared to check the license plates, a 31-year-old Mount Gilead man drove off in it but soon crashed into a home in Ontario.

A standoff between the man and several law enforcement agencies ensued for about 30 minutes, during which authorities said a gunshot was heard coming from the stolen vehicle. Officers returned fire, and the man was struck by at least two shots, authorities said.

The man and a female passenger then left the vehicle and drove off in a state highway patrol cruiser that had been parked at the scene, authorities said. The pursuit resumed and, a short time later, the driver of a minivan on eastbound Route 30 pulled over as a courtesy as the cruiser approached.

The Mount Gilead man stopped and exited the cruiser and forcibly removed the driver from the minivan while a passenger jumped out. The man then drove off, leaving on the highway the female passenger who had been traveling with him.

The pursuit continued but ended in Ashland County when troopers were able to crash the minivan and remove the man from the vehicle.

The man was being treated at a hospital for injuries not considered life-threatening. He was expected to face numerous charges, authoritie said.

The two people in the minivan were treated for minor injuries.