Monday, August 29th, 2022
Michigan man leads police on high-speed chase
By Leslie Gartrell
ROCKFORD - A Michigan man was arrested Sunday after leading police officers on a 100 mph high-speed chase through yards and farm fields in and around Rockford.
Benjamin H. Polasky, 39, Owosso, Mich., was arrested on felony fleeing charges, according to a news release from Rockford Police Chief Paul May. Polasky was also wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service, the release reads.
May in the release said officers on Sunday attempted to stop a blue van reported by a citizen for running a stop sign.
After locating the van and verifying the license plates did not belong to the vehicle, the van allegedly accelerated and reached 56 mph in a 25 mph zone.
The van reportedly drove through residents yards before leaving the village of Rockford westbound on Rockfordwest Road, according to the release.
Speeds during the pursuit reportedly reached over 100 mph, the release reads, and continued onto Stover Road and Wabash Road. The vehicle then left the roadway and traveled through a bean field and corn field, ending in a wooded area.
Units from the Mercer County Sheriff's Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Celina Police Department and Adams County Indiana Sheriff's Office all responded to the area, per the release.
The Mercer County Sheriff's Office drone was requested as well as the Rockford Fire Department's aerial ladder. A perimeter was established and area residents were contacted for safety, according to the release.
Polasky was allegedly located an hour later by Ohio Highway State Patrol Troopers at a residence on Grauberger Road and arrested without incident.
He was taken to Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater, to be medically cleared for jail.
Polasky is being held without bond in the Mercer County Jail pending a court hearing, according to information from the Mercer County Sheriff's office. No other details were provided in the release.
