The driver was arrested and is identified as Joseph Allen Horton, 37.
The Butler County Sheriff’s Office reports the semi Horton was driving was stolen out of Indiana.
Video shared by a witness on social media shows multiple police vehicles following a white semi cab past Couch’s grocery market on U.S. 127 in New Miami. In the video, the person filming said a headlight on the cab was not working. It was not hauling anything behind it.
The location of the end of the pursuit is close to Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill, according to Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, who went live on Facebook around 6 p.m. to address online chatter about the incident that many locals witnessed.
Spooky Nook is hosting a large sports event this weekend and visitors are parking in lots on both ends of the bridge.
Jones said the alleged stolen truck was originally called in to the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the driver took the Middletown exit off Interstate 75. The suspect led police through the city, Trenton and Preble County before getting back to Butler County.
“The chase ended when the stop sticks were used and the truck ended up stopping at a slow rate of speed,” Jones said.
Horton, who does not have a current address, is charged with failure to comply and receiving stolen property — both felonies. More charges are pending.
“It’s a crazy world we’re living in. Our law enforcement, no matter what agency, never waivers in making our communities safe,” Jones said.
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