MAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — Maple Heights police say a man is facing several felony charges, including kidnapping, after being found slumped over the wheel of an SUV, then driving away with an officer in the vehicle.
According to a release from the Maple Heights Police Department, officers were called to Raymond Street near Northfield Road on Sunday morning just after 9 a.m. Police had received a report of an unresponsive man slumped over the wheel of an SUV that was still running.
Police say the first officer that arrived at the scene discovered 32-year-old Neil Miller of Richfield slumped over the wheel of the SUV. The officer was able to get into the vehicle through the front passenger door and turned the SUV off.
Shortly after, police say Miller woke up and the officer began speaking with him. As the conversation started, Miller allegedly turned the ignition back on and put the SUV into gear before the officer could remove the keys from the ignition. The SUV drove away with the officer still in the vehicle.
After a short pursuit, Maple Heights police say the SUV stopped long enough to enable the officer to get out of the vehicle. However, the chase continued into several surrounding communities before finally coming to an end in Cuyahoga Heights.
No one was injured in the incident.
Miller was arraigned in Garfield Heights Municipal Court on Monday and faces felony kidnapping and fleeing/eluding charges. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of criminal damage. Bond was set at $50,000 and Miller will have a preliminary hearing on Jan. 17.
