A black 2019 Honda Civic, pictured in surveillance footage, was stolen from a local dealership Monday afternoon. The suspect eluded a pursuit by a Union County Sheriff’s Office deputy after stealing the vehicle while on a test drive. (Photo submitted)
One was the product of a test drive that did not end
Another vehicle was reported stolen from a local dealership Monday afternoon.
Marysville Police Department Deputy Chief Tony Brooks said a prospective buyer at Coughlin Marysville GM reportedly took a black 2019 Honda Civic for a test drive and did not return the vehicle.
MPD alerted the Union County Sheriff’s Office of the stolen vehicle at 1:29 p.m., according to Chief Deputy Tom Morgan.
Morgan said MPD advised the Civic was heading east on Delaware Avenue.
Deputies were present on the east side of the county at that time, Morgan said, and one saw what he believed to be the stolen vehicle driving on White Stone Road, south of Route 347.
The Civic passed the deputy and the deputy turned around to initiate a pursuit, Morgan said.
The deputy followed the Civic east on Route 347, toward Delaware County, and onto Delaware County Road before he lost sight of the vehicle and terminated the pursuit.
Morgan said other deputies “attempted to get into the area” to assist with the pursuit, but the Civic “was way ahead of the deputy.”
Morgan said he was uncertain what speed the stolen vehicle was traveling throughout the pursuit.
Brooks said MPD is working to identify the suspect using photos of him arriving at the dealership.
“No plates were issued to the vehicle,” according to a report from MPD.
The Marysville Police Department is working to identify a man, pictured in surveillance footage above, who allegedly stole a vehicle from Coughlin Marysville while taking the car on a test drive Monday afternoon. (Photo submitted)
The Sheriff’s Office was also involved in a second pursuit Monday evening.
Deputies attempted to stop a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire on Route 37 near Ira Bean Parkway for failure to yield at a stop sign and equipment failure at 7:46 p.m.
Morgan said the vehicle refused to stop and a pursuit was initiated.
The driver then went off the roadway at the intersection of Route 37 and Bethlehem Claibourne Road and struck several tombstones in Claibourne Cemetery.
Two of the four vehicle occupants stayed in the car, Morgan said, while the other two fled on foot.
He said a foot pursuit was initiated and one suspect was found in the cemetery.
A canine search for the fourth individual was executed, but he was not found.
However, Morgan said the identities of all four individuals is believed to be known.
He said “it appears” a 16-year-old male, two 19-year-old males and a 20-year-old male were involved.
Morgan declined to release the names of any of those involved, as he said incident is under investigation. He said it is unclear who would be charged and who was merely a passenger.
UCSO is still working to determine the “seating positions” of the four individuals, Morgan said.
The Sheriff’s Office is also investigating the connection between the owner of the vehicle and those involved in the pursuit and crash.
One person was transported to Marion General Hospital with injuries sustained in the crash. Morgan said he was not charged.
Additional deputies, a Richwood Police Department officer and units from the Northern Union County Fire and EMS District assisted at the scene.
Morgan said the incident is considered an active investigation.
He said UCSO is working to answer the question, “Why did they run?”