GREEN SPRINGS — A Fremont man was arrested Thursday after leading police on a high-speed chase.
Guedel Stokes, 24, of Fremont, failed to listen to commands from police as he exited the Dollar General in Green Springs. The two officers were investigating a possible shoplifting offense at the time.
Stokes pulled out of the parking lot at a high rate of speed and almost struck both officers, according to Green Springs Police Chief Charles Horne. Stokes then proceeded north out of Green Springs at a high rate of speed.
“He was going over 100 mph,” Horne said.
Stokes led police on a chase down a number of back roads before finally crashing into a parked car at the intersection of State Street and Smith Road, outside of Fremont.
“The chase went on for about seven miles,” Horne said. “At 100 mph, I’d guess we were chasing him for about five to seven minutes.”
At the time of the pursuit, it was raining heavily, adding to the danger, according to Horne.
“He forced several vehicles to the side of the road while he was driving during the pursuit,” Horne said. “We were very fortunate that no one was injured during the chase. He had a total disregard for other’s safety.
“Our biggest concern was the safety of everyone else. You don’t want anything to happen to anybody; if (Stokes) was willing to hit two officers to get away, what else is he willing to do?”
Horne wasn’t sure if Stokes knew where he was going, or if he was just trying to lose the officers that were pursuing him.
“To be honest, his speed was so excessive that we were never close enough to be able to answer that question. We were able to keep him in sight to pursue him, but it was pouring down rain at the time and visibility wasn’t great.”
The Fremont Police Department, Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office, the State Highway Patrol and the Sandusky County Dispatch Center all assisted Green Springs Police in the pursuit and arrest of Stokes.
Stokes was charged with theft, driving under suspension and failure to obey the order of a police officer. Stokes also had a warrant for his arrest out of Erie County.
Additional charges are likely after further investigation, according to Horne.
Stokes is currently being held at the Sandusky County Jail with no bail.
