Cleveland police chase in Tremont ends with suspect dead, officer injured in crash - also tremont robbery west 7 - 8-12-2015

Submitted by Quest-News-Serv... on Thu, 08/13/2015 - 15:54.

(GREAT POLICE WORK) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A person suspected of drug activity is dead after he crashed his car into an unmarked Cleveland police vehicle during a pursuit in Tremont, Chief Calvin Williams said.

The officer involved is being treated at MetroHealth Medical Center for broken ribs, a collapsed lung and other injuries, police union head Steve Loomis told Northeast Ohio Media Group.

The crash happened about 12:30 p.m. Thursday on West 14th Street in front of Grace Hospital, more than a year after Williams announced that his officers are banned from initiating pursuits unless the suspect is accused of a violent felony or driving intoxicated.

Williams would not answer questions about the chase, including whether it was authorized under the new police policy. He did provide some details at the scene.

Second District officers working on a crime initiative in the area spotted a person thought to be involved in drug transactions. The person got into a vehicle -- a Nissan Maxima -- and drove away.

The officers followed and eventually turned on their lights and sirens to perform a traffic stop, Williams said.

The suspect sped away, heading north on West 14th Street. The officers gave chase, Williams said.

The car reached a dead end at a construction zone and made a U-turn. As it sped south on West 14th Street, the car began to fishtail. It crossed the center line and struck an oncoming minivan, Williams said.

An undercover police officer was behind the wheel of the minivan.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

The officer was rushed to the hospital. He is expected to survive, Williams said.

Loomis has been a critic of the department's overhauled chase policy.

In May, after police terminated a high-speed chase in Tremont and let two robbery suspects get away, Loomis said, "They should have let us do our jobs. These two punks will rob again, and what's even worse they will tell their punk friends how easy it is to do in Cleveland."

Loomis could not be reached Thursday afternoon after he sent Northeast Ohio Media Group a text about the officer's injuries.

The officer's name has not been released.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office will identify the suspect.

Tremont saw a string of armed robberies earlier this year. More recently, residents and visitors to Tremont have been the victims of violent carjackings.

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2015/08/cleveland_police_chase_...

Robbery

08/12/15 12:01 AM

2100 BLOCK OF W 7TH ST

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