Fri Nov 20 2009
By JARED ORZOLEK
A Fulton County man is facing several charges after allegedly leading police on a motorcycle chase reaching speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour through Defiance on Thursday afternoon.
The Defiance post of the Ohio Highway Patrol reports that James Ramey, 19, Archbold, was arrested on charges of felony fleeing and eluding, reckless operation, no motorcycle endorsement and fictitious registration after he was apprehended near the Defiance County Airport.
"Fleeing from the police is always dangerous, no matter what kind of vehicle you are driving," said Sgt. George Jutze of the Ohio Highway Patrol. "All he (suspect) could think about was trying to get away. He could have hurt someone."
The chase began at 1:30 p.m. and lasted 10 minutes, according to troopers. No law enforcement officers, members of the public or the suspect were injured.
The incident began when Jutze tried to stop a motorcyclist -- who was riding a 2001 Yamaha, high-performance motorcycle -- for an alleged improper lane change on eastbound U.S. 24 at the Ohio 15 interchange.
The suspect allegedly fled from the trooper and exited U.S. 24 onto North Clinton Street. Troopers allege the suspect headed south in a reckless manner, weaving through traffic, and proceeded west on Ralston Avenue, where his speed topped 120 miles per hour.
The suspect then allegedly continued westbound over U.S. 24 and into the Ohio 15-Christy Road construction zone, where traffic was reduced to one lane and traveling east. The suspect allegedly passed traffic on the north berm and nearly lost control of his motorcycle, according to troopers.
Jutze alleged the motorcyclist nearly struck a vehicle while traveling through this construction zone.
The suspect then allegedly accelerated away from the construction zone, heading north on Ohio 15 and reaching speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Troopers said the motorcyclist turned into a private residence across from the Defiance County Airport and headed into a vacant trailer.
According to troopers, Ramey surrendered and was apprehended by troopers and deputies from the Defiance County Sheriff's Office.
"He came out of the trailer with his arms raised," Jutze said. "He was afraid since he didn't have a motorcycle endorsement that he would be taken to jail."
Ramey was taken to the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio, rural Stryker, and was scheduled to appear in Defiance Municipal Court today.
The incident remains under investigation.
Jutze said he would have been forced to break off the pursuit if the driver had continued south on Clinton Street into central Defiance. He continued the pursuit as Ramey drove away from the city on Ralston Avenue.
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