On September 29, 2022, Deputies with the P.A.C.E. (Portage Aggressive Crime Enforcement) Unit were conducting criminal interdiction and traffic enforcement on the Interstate 80, Ohio Turnpike in Portage County. Deputies observed a vehicle traveling eastbound in Freedom Township with heavy tint applied to the front driver and passenger side windows and the license plate affixed to the rear of the vehicle was obstructed. Deputies observed multiple other traffic violations including following too closely, driving in marked lanes, and failure to use a turn signal. A subsequent traffic stop was initiated, however, the driver failed to comply and fled from the stop in his vehicle. The pursuit continued on Interstate 80 with speeds in excess of 125 mph into Trumbull County where the suspect caused a traffic crash involving another vehicle. The occupant of that vehicle was transported to the hospital and released with minor injuries. This caused the suspect’s vehicle to become inoperable and the driver then fled on foot into a wooded area. The Portage County Sheriff's Office SWAT team was activated to assist, along with the PCSO Detective Bureau, Portage County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit, the Portage County Sheriffs Office Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the Ohio State Highway Patrol with their Aviation Unit, the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office, and the Newton Falls Police Department.
Items left in the suspect vehicle identified the driver as Maurice Reginald Matthews from Cleveland. After searching the area for the suspect, the Portage County SWAT Team located Matthews hiding in an abandoned garage nearby. Matthews has active warrants for his arrest including Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Burglary, Larceny-Theft (x5), Shoplifting, and Failure to Appear. Upon running a criminal history on Matthews, it showed prior convictions including Vandalism, Drug Abuse, Receiving Stolen Property, Possession of Drugs, Driving Under the Influence, Theft, Trafficking in Drugs, Aggravated Menacing, Obstructing Official Business, Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Trespassing, Aggravated Theft, Falsification, Menacing by Stalking, and Criminal Damaging.
The Portage County Sheriff’s Office has charged Matthews with Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer, Obstructing Official Business, Breaking and Entering, Possession of Drugs, Driving Under Suspension, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Reckless Operation, Following too Close, Speed, Driving on a Closed Roadway, Window Tint, Obstructed License Plates, Failure to use Turn Signal, and Driving in Marked Lanes.
Respectfully,
Bruce D. Zuchowski
Sheriff
Portage County Sheriff's Office
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