BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio — An inmate who is accused of stealing a semi after taking off from a litter detail is back behind bars and now faces felony charges related the attempted escape.
The Bellefontaine Examiner reports that Andrew J. Claybaugh, 35, of Urbana, Ohio, was working with two other inmates picking up litter along State Route 47 near the Bellefontaine Municipal Airport in Logan County, Ohio. Claybaugh was incarcerated on felony drug charges.
Although supervised by a deputy, Claybaugh managed to steal a Peterbilt owned by Shelly Paving Company. Logan County deputies were informed that Claybaugh was driving the semi eastbound on S.R. 47.
The driver who had been operating the stolen truck told deputies that the semi was equipped with a GPS and the company owner provided deputies with GPS locations, allowing them to locate the semi.
The pursuit spilled over into Champaign County and Logan County Deputies got consent to continue the pursuit.
Deputies located the stolen semi at the 5700 block of Church Road in Champaign County. After engaging their siren and lights, the stolen semi failed to stop.
The Examiner reports that the pursuit reached speeds in excess of 73 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone, with several traffic violations being committed as well, including several stop sign violations. Claybaugh reportedly drove the semi in the middle of State Route 560, southbound on a double yellow line.
As the chase continued eastbound onto Millerstown Road, a Champaign County detective threw down spike strips which deflated the stolen semi’s front passenger tire.
That didn’t end the chase though.
The semi reportedly continued to flee, entering State Rout 29, traveling at speeds of 60 mph in a 25 mph zone.
The semi attempted to turn westbound onto State Route 36 and then left onto Edgewood Avenue, but the front right tire popped off the rim, causing the semi to go off the right side of the road into a yard at an intersection before stopping.
“Claybaugh was ordered out of the vehicle at gunpoint and with K9 Thor available in case the defendant ran on foot,” The Examiner reports. “Deputies were able to gain control of the suspect’s left arm, but said the suspect initially was non-compliant in giving them his right hand, so K9 Thor engaged Claybaugh on the upper right arm.”
EMS at the scene wrapped the Claybaugh’s arm, after which he was transported to the Logan County Jail.
Claybaugh is now facing charges of escape, a second-degree felony, and grand theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony, related to the incident.
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