MAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is currently in Maple Heights after officials say a police chase ended with a Bedford officer shooting a car theft suspect.
According to a release from the Bedford Police Department, officers spotted the allegedly stolen vehicle on Broadway Avenue around 3 p.m. and tried to pull it over, but it sped away. A pursuit ensued northwest along Broadway into Maple Heights, with the authorities accusing the car of striking at least one other vehicle that wasn't involved in the chase.
As the pursuit neared Eagles Auto Collision, police say the cruiser involved used a PIT maneuver to crash the car and bring it to a stop, at which time the driver of the vehicle got out with a gun in his hand. A Bedford officer then shot the man, while a passenger was taken into custody by Maple Heights officers after trying to run away.
The driver was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center with unspecified injuries. No officers were hurt.
While BCI is handling the investigation into the shooting of the suspect, Maple Heights Police Chief Todd Hansen claims both he and the passenger may have been involved in other crimes in the area. Maple Heights and Garfield Heights police also assisted at the scene.
According to Bedford police, the department will collaborate with the Maple Heights Police Department to investigate the alleged criminal conduct in both jurisdictions while BCI handles the shooting investigation.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to immediately call the Maple Heights Police Department's detective bureau at (216) 587-9624.