ASHLAND — Five Dayton-area men are in the Ashland County jail after a high-speed chase began in Ashland and reached all the way to the I-270 outerbelt of Columbus, according to a press release from the Ashland Police Department.
With assistance from surrounding agencies, suspects, Sir Christon Spencer Unique Sincere Rogers, 23, of Huber Heights, Kerry Dion Stephens, 24, of Trotwood, James Phipps Marshawn, 23, of Dayton, Robert Lee Prater, 25, of Dayton, and Taquan Derion Thompson, 29, of Dayton, are all being held in the county jail, pending review of charges by the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office.
According to authorities, the incident began on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at approximately 7:34 p.m. Ashland Police responded to a reported robbery at Rite Aid Pharmacy at 419 Claremont Ave. in Ashland.
Witnesses told police that three black males fled the scene on foot and were picked up by the suspect vehicle, a Silver Ford Escape.
Ashland Police initiated a pursuit of a Silver Ford Escape traveling at a high rate of speed in the 1600 block of Claremont Ave, prompting the chase.
During the pursuit, police say the suspects threw empty pill bottles from the vehicle. The pursuit continued into the county and onto Interstate 71 southbound.
The Ohio State Patrol, Mansfield Post, joined the pursuit on Interstate 71, near State Route 13. OSP then continued the chase until it ended on I-270 near Cemetery Road.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone who witnesses anything suspicious or has non-emergency information can contact the Ashland Police at 419-289-1911.