NewsLocal NewsCleveland Metro

Actions

East Cleveland police pursuit of stolen vehicle ends in crash in North Olmsted

North Olmsted pole down 4.jpg
North Olmsted pole down.jpg
North Olmsted pole down 2.jpg
Posted at 12:56 PM, Sep 22, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-22 12:56:25-04

NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio — A pursuit of a stolen Jeep involving East Cleveland police ended in a crash in North Olmsted Monday night, according to a spokesperson for the Cleveland Police Department.

East Cleveland police initiated a pursuit of a stolen vehicle in the area of East 21st Street and St. Clair Avenue.

During the pursuit, the stolen vehicle traveled at speeds of up to 80 mph, crossing center lanes and failing to stop at several red lights.

The pursuit went through several police districts in Cleveland before ending in a crash on Lorain Road, just west of Columbia Road.
The crash caused damage to a utility pole on Lorain Road.

Lavelle Smith, 19, identified as the driver of the vehicle, was hospitalized after the crash. He was charged with fleeing and eluding an officer, improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle and carrying a concealed weapon.

The 20-year-old passenger was booked into the East Cleveland Jail and charged with receiving stolen property, obstructing official business and resisting arrest, according to the report.

A Glock 17, reported stolen out of the Maple Heights Police Department, was tossed out of the vehicle during the pursuit. Police recovered the firearm, which was found with 17 live rounds in the magazine and one live round in the chamber, the Cleveland police said.

Cleveland police monitored the pursuit but did not assist East Cleveland police in the chase.