A Delaware County Grand Jury has returned an indictment against 22-year-old Austin Dean Schnars of Mt. Gilead, Ohio.
Just before midnight on April 23, 2018, Sunbury Police attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Schnars. The car had no license plate light and was weaving on State Route 3. Schnars did not stop and instead sped up and led law enforcement on a high-speed chase from Delaware to Morrow County.
“Speeds during the pursuit exceeded 100 miles per hour,” said Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien. ““Mr. Schnars did not stop at multiple stop signs, passed vehicles on the wrong side of the road, and disregarded the safety of other motorists as well as the responding officers.”
The vehicle ultimately ran off the road into a cornfield. Schnars and a passenger fled on foot. Both were apprehended shortly thereafter.
Schnars is charged with failure to comply with order or signal of police officer – a third-degree felony, having weapons while under disability – a third-degree felony, and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle – a fourth-degree felony.
“We are thankful no one was seriously hurt during the pursuit and apprehension of Mr. Schnars,” O’Brien said. “This serves as a good reminder that if you are driving and see a law enforcement vehicle with overhead lights on, or hear sirens, to pull over as far as you can out of harm’s way, and give the officers plenty of room to do their job.”
An arraignment date for Schnars is not yet set.
