Chase crossed five counties

Two Randolph County men were arrested last week after leading police on a chase through five counties, including Jay.

David W. Atkinson, 30, and his passenger Jason Gerstner of Union City were arrested Aug. 27 and booked into Auglaize County (Ohio) Correctional Center following a chase that resulted in a Jay County officer firing shots and damage to two police vehicles as well as two vehicles owned by local residents.

Darke County (Ohio) Sheriff’s Office received a call about 1:15 a.m. Aug. 27 about a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado facing the wrong way at a stop sign. According to police reports, when a Darke County sheriff’s deputy confronted Atkinson and Gerstner, they fled. Police pursued Atkinson and Gerstner through parts of Darke, Randolph, Jay, Mercer and Auglaize counties.

According to Jay County Sheriff Ray Newton, a Jay County officer fired two rounds during the pursuit but did not hit a target.

Jay County officers placed stop sticks on county road 600 East just south of county road 300 South. Atkinson stopped before the spikes and backed into a Darke County officer’s vehicle, he said.

The chase continued west along Indiana 26 and county road 100 East toward Portland, then toward county road 300 East and back onto Indiana 26 headed east, into Mercer County and then back onto State Line Road.

Officers had placed another set of stop sticks on the road, and Atkinson stopped before the spikes and allegedly backed into Jay County Sheriff’s Office sergeant Derek Bogenschutz’s vehicle.

About 2 a.m. Atkinson called police and said he had a child in the vehicle, threatening to shoot the child if they didn’t stop the pursuit, according to a Portland police incident report. (Police found no child.)

Atkinson and Gerstner lost police near Minnich Farms, where they allegedly stole one of the company’s vehicles and headed into Mercer County. The chase ended when Atkinson and Gerstner drove across stop sticks and went off a ramp near St. Mary’s, Ohio.

Atkinson and Gerstner stood off against police for several hours before they were arrested. An assault rifle was allegedly recovered from the vehicle, along with drugs and syringes.

The Silverado is registered to Chad J. Timmerman of Portland. Minnich Farms’ vehicle had flat tires and various other damages.

Newton noted the case is being investigated by Jay County Prosecutor’s Office as well as surrounding counties, and an internal investigation is also being conducted for the discharge of the firearms and pursuit. 

As of Tuesday, no charges had not been filed in Jay County. No one was injured during the chase.