FINDLAY–The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a motor vehicle pursuit, which resulted in an officer-involved shooting and standoff in Hancock County.
On September 2 at 7:40 p.m., Bowling Green Post troopers along with deputies from the Wood County Sheriff’s Office located a vehicle and suspects wanted in connection with a carjacking and homicide that occurred earlier in the day in Monroe County, Mich. The vehicle was located at a rest area near Bowling Green. As troopers and deputies approached the vehicle, the suspects fled the scene traveling southbound on Interstate 75. Troopers initiated a traffic stop however the vehicle did not stop and a pursuit ensued.
The suspects shot at the pursuing officers multiple times during the pursuit and troopers returned fire. The pursuit continued southbound on I-75 into Hancock County and exited onto state Route 15. As the suspect vehicle was approaching Township Road 240, it then went off the right side of the roadway and struck a ditch.
Once the vehicle came to a stop, troopers began issuing verbal orders. Initially, the suspects refused to comply with troopers’ orders to exit the vehicle. After some time, the passenger exited the vehicle and was taken into custody. The Patrol’s Special Response Team arrived on scene and was able to take the driver into custody.
The passenger was identified as Ronnie L. Oliver, 44, Ann Arbor, Mich. Oliver was transported to an area hospital for precautionary reasons. Oliver was medically cleared and taken to the Hancock County jail. The driver was identified as Stephen M. Jones Jr., 29, Monroe, Mich. Jones was flown to an area hospital for serious injuries.
No officers involved were physically injured as a result of the incident.
The incident is still under investigation and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was requested to investigate the officer-involved shooting.
