I-Team: Video shows chase that injured 2 officers

Justin Dennis
·2 min read

UNIVERSITY CIRCLE, Ohio (WJW) — Two University Circle police officers were injured while chasing three boys and a man suspected of trying to steal a Kia, according to police.

It happened just after 3:30 p.m. on Monday, April 8, at the parking garage of the Centric apartment complex along Circle Drive, according to Police Chief Thomas Wetzel.

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While thousands of Northeast Ohioans and tourists were gathered to watch the total solar eclipse on Monday afternoon, which reached its peak just before 3:15 p.m., officers responded to the garage for a report of four males running from a car whose alarm was blaring.

“The problem they had was: Because of the eclipse, we had a very large event going on at Wade Oval, so we were thick with UCPD officers,” Wetzel said. “So when that crime was getting called in and in progress, we were able to get there ‘Johnny on the spot.’ We had policemen everywhere.”

Seconds after arriving at the parking garage, an officer spotted the suspects running. Video released to the FOX 8 I-Team shows officers running after them.

During a foot chase, one officer who jumped a fence near the RTA train tracks near Mayfield and Coltman roads broke his knee; another suffered an injury to his hand, according to Wetzel. Both were treated at a nearby hospital.

Wetzel said the officer who broke his knee is expected to be off for several weeks.

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The officers ultimately arrested all four suspects. One of the boys had a replica firearm with a “functioning extended magazine,” according to the release. One of them also suffered hand injuries believed to be related to the break-in.

Officers found the Kia Forte with a broken rear passenger-side window and a peeled steering column.

The chief added that the three juvenile suspects were released to their parents and the adult suspect was taken to jail. Charges against all four are pending.

“Hopefully, we slowed this problem down,” Wetzel said. “As you know, this is a problem all throughout America, but particularly bad in Northeast Ohio. So we are hoping this can make an impact and at least slow it down for a few days.”

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