Two arrested on gun, drug charges after car chase involving Akron police, highway patrol
Two people were arrested early Tuesday morning on weapons and drug charges following a pursuit that involved Akron police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
A man and a woman were arrested after their vehicle crashed into a snow drift near Grant and Sherman streets, Akron police reported.
Police said they attempted a traffic stop about 11:45 p.m. Monday for suspicious activity and an equipment violation near Copley Road and South Hawkins Avenue. Police said the car, a Pontiac Vibe, refused to stop.
Akron police gave chase and ended pursuit on Interstate 76 at State Route 43 in Portage County and returned to the city limits. The Highway Patrol then went after the vehicle, Akron police said in a news release. The chase went into Stark County as well, Akron police said.
Police said 20 minutes later the Pontiac Vibe returned to Akron, with Akron police again chasing the car until it crashed.
The female driver, 32, got out of the car and ran but was stopped and arrested shortly after without incident, police said. Police said they recovered a handgun near her feet.
A front seat male passenger, 30, also ran out and was chased and arrested. Police said they found him with a backpack that contained a stolen handgun, methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl, marijuana and related drug paraphernalia.
The woman was charged with tampering with evidence, obstructing official business, carry concealed weapon, improper handling, weapons under disability, and failure to comply with order of a police officer. She was taken to Summit County Jail.
The male was charged with trafficking in drugs, two counts of drug abuse, weapons under disability, and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle. He was taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General for medical evaluation and then taken to Summit County Jail.
Two other adult passengers in the car were released and not charged.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron police chase car into Portage, where troopers chase it back
