On September 19, 2020, around 3:48 PM, Sidney Police Officer Bobby Benshoff attempted to stop a Silver Nissan Sentra for an equipment violation at the N/B 90 mile marker on I-75. The vehicle got off exit #92 (Michigan St.), and continued without stopping going E/B onto Michigan St. The vehicle ran a red traffic light on Michigan St. at Fourth Ave. and Off. Benshoff called out that he was attempting to stop a vehicle that wasn’t stopping. Off. Benshoff ran the plate of the vehicle and it came back to a suspended driver out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Off. Benshoff continued to pursue the vehicle E/B through downtown Sidney on Court St. and K-9 Officer Jim Jennings joined the pursuit and took the lead of the pursuit as the vehicle continued to travel E/B out of the City on St. Rt. 29. The vehicle continued E/B on 29 and turned N/B on St.Rt. 706 and continued until the driver attempted to go straight onto Tawawa Mapelwood Rd. and lost control of the vehicle and went into a bean field. The driver and two other passengers took off running from the vehicle in which Sidney K-9 Officer Kilo gave chase. All three quickly stopped running and complied and were placed under arrest. A fourth passenger who remained with the vehicle was also apprehended.
Officers found a large amount fentanyl, cash, and a stolen handgun inside the vehicle. After a further investigation it was found that the same vehicle was involved in an armed robbery in the Cincinnati area of Delhi Township earlier in the day. The vehicle also had stolen tags on it, and the vehicle itself was found to be stolen out of Cincinnati, Ohio. After contacting several of the agencies involved, it was also found that the stolen handgun might have been used in a past officer involved shooting by one of the suspects.
The driver of the vehicle (16 year old male from Cincinnati, Ohio) was arrested for felony 1 drug trafficking, fleeing and eluding, several receiving of stolen property charges, and he had an active warrant from Hamilton County. Two adult passengers (18 Year Old Jacon Breaton from Covington, Ky and 21 year old Keonte Devon Ontoni Hardy from Cincinnati, Ohio) were also arrested for felony 1 drug trafficking several receiving stolen property charges. 18 Year Old Raul Armando Vega Jr. from Cincinnati, Ohio was arrested for felony 1 drug trafficking, several receiving stolen property charges, and also had active warrant out of Hamilton County for felonious assault with a gun.
The adults were taken to the Shelby County Jail and the Juvenile was transported to the JDC in Troy.