Police chase from Flood Road to SR 124 ends in arrest

POMEROY – Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood reports that on August 24, 2016 Meigs County deputies responded to assist the Pomeroy Police Department on a call. According to the sheriff, a male subject in a teal colored truck was threatening another male with a firearm in Lincoln Heights.

While Meigs County deputies were driving across the Flood Road to assist, deputies passed the suspect vehicle. Deputies turned around and attempted to stop the suspect vehicle which refused to stop.

Deputies pursued the suspect vehicle down Bradbury Road and across State Route 7. The pursuit continued out Bradbury Road and turned west bound towards Rutland on State Route 124. The pursuit continued on State Route 124 until the suspect vehicle turned into a residence on where deputies approached the male occupant.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the male subject allegedly refused to exit the vehicle and fought with the deputies who were trying to take him into custody. During the struggle a loaded handgun magazine had fallen out onto the ground, according to the Sheriff’s Office. At this time the male was still allegedly refusing to comply and was struggling with the deputies when a taser was deployed. The male subject then complied and was able to be handcuffed and taken into custody.

The male was identified as Thomas T. Simmons, 52, of Middleport, Ohio. Several open containers of alcohol along with a loaded handgun was located inside the vehicle.

Thomas was charged with Aggravated Menacing, Fleeing and Eluding, Resisting Arrest, Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle, Driving under suspension and 4th Offense of Operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OVI).
Thomas was incarcerated in Middleport jail pending his arraignment in Meigs County Court.