CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Two men are in custody after apparently leading Cleveland Heights police on a chase while allegedly holding two teenage girls "against their will."
According to a Cleveland Heights city spokesperson, the incident began on Wednesday evening at around 11:35 p.m. when officers identified a Mazda SUV that had been reported as stolen from Wickliffe.
Officers reportedly initiated a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled from the scene. Police then pursued the stolen vehicle on several streets before it crashed into a light pole near Dave's Supermarket on Lee Road.
"The male driver left the vehicle and fled on foot after the car burst into flames. CHPD apprehended the driver after a brief foot chase," the Cleveland Heights spokesperson added.
In addition, Cleveland Heights police extracted three other occupants, including two 19-year-old sisters from Cleveland Heights, after the car crashed into the pole. All four individuals were taken to University Hospital for treatment.
"Upon further investigation, it was reported that the two teenage girls were being held inside the vehicle against their will," the city of Cleveland Heights added in its statement.
The hospital treated and released the front-seat passenger, a 30-year-old man, who is currently in Cleveland Heights police custody.
As of Thursday morning, the driver and one of the teenagers involved in the crash remain in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
At this time, the incident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed yet.