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WARREN – The man who led police on a Nov. 2, 2022, chase after a traffic stop that ended inside a Warren daycare center was sentenced Thursday to more than six years in prison.
Lamar Mitchell, 40, of Parkman Road NW, appeared with his attorney Mary Ellen Ditchey for sentencing before Common Pleas Judge Ronald J. Rice. Rice did not go along with the plea deal reached among attorneys in the case that called for a sentence of 57 to 81 months in prison. Instead, Rice added more prison time, citing the defendant’s lengthy criminal record that showed six previous felony convictions and prison sentences.
Rice said Mitchell began his lifelong crime spree at age 17 with an armed robbery conviction.
“You have been a violent criminal your whole adult life,” Rice said.
On Feb. 23, Mitchell pleaded guilty to charges of domestic violence, failure to comply with signal or order of a police officer, failure to stop after an accident, aggravated burglary, aggravated menacing and resisting arrest.
Mitchell said he was sorry for what he’s done. Ditchey said he has seen a change in the defendant’s demeanor in recent months after undergoing counseling.
Several young children were playing inside the daycare facility when Mitchell entered Precious Times Child Care and Preschool at 657 N. Park Ave. Police body camera video showed the Nov. 2 police chase into the facility. After officers identified Mitchell as the man wanted on a felonious assault warrant, a foot chase ensued. Officers first pursued Mitchell in a vehicle after he refused to pull over on North Park.
The vehicle crashed in the area of North Park and Washington Street NE, and Mitchell ran behind the daycare.