“We have more drug overdose deaths in Warren County than we have traffic fatalities,” said Franklin Police Chief Russell Whitman. “It’s going to take the entire community to fight this issue of drugs coming into this town.”
At about 3:40 p.m. Sunday, an officer saw a vehicle matching that description near the corner of South River Street and South Main Street in Franklin. While attempting to pull over the car for a traffic violation, the car began to flee and led police on a high speed chase through Franklin and north on Interstate 75.
Officers followed the car onto I-75 northbound, reaching reported speeds of at least 107 mph.
Cruiser camera video showed the car zig zagging through Dayton and driving into oncoming traffic. During the pursuit, the Franklin officer noticed Dayton Police and Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies, but they did not engage in the pursuit.
“Come on guys, somebody come here and help me,” the officer is heard saying on police scanner traffic.
“No one engaged to help us, which is something we may address in the future,” Whitman said. “I understand they have a no pursuit policy, however, officer safety comes first — especially not knowing the area.”
Whitman also told the Journal-News that the department will review the chase.
“Should the officer terminate the pursuit, that’s a judgement call,” he said. “That’s what’s going to be reviewed by our defensive driving instructors to see if pursuit should’ve been terminated.”
The chase continued into Dayton, where the suspects eventually turned onto Ohio 4. At approximately 4 p.m., the suspects crashed their car on Stolz Avenue and fled on foot.
Police caught one man and took him into custody. Officers said they recovered a bag that contained a loaded handgun and drugs. Police said both items will be sent to the Miami Valley Crime Lab for processing. A police dog was used to track other potential suspects.
The man caught was the passenger of the vehicle, identified as Terrell Mabry, 23, of Trotwood. Mabry has been charged with possession of drugs, tampering with evidence and obstructing official business.
Mabry is scheduled to be arraigned in Franklin Municipal Court on Tuesday, according to police.
The driver of the vehicle remains at large.
Police encourage residents to contact them with information if they know of any illegal activities happening in their neighborhood. Residents can call 937-746-2882 or call anonymously to report a tip at 937-743-1TIP (1847).
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