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Police continue Thursday manhunt

Vehicle struck police cruiser and took off

BRACEVILLE — Police still were searching Friday for a man who fled a traffic stop and rear-ended a police cruiser Thursday night.

A Braceville Township police officer was westbound on state Route 5 when he saw a large landscaping pickup truck swerve from the far right to the left, cutting across five lanes of traffic and almost hitting two cars in the process, Braceville police Chief Josh Rudesill said.

The officer stopped the truck in the 3800 block of Warren Ravenna Road SW at about 10 p.m., but the truck sped off, leading the officer on a mile chase.

“The suspect vehicle then slammed on his brakes, my officer went around the suspect vehicle to try to keep from rear-ending it,” Rudesill said. The officer came to a stop in the left lane. “The suspect vehicle was in the right lane. It hit the gas and purposely rear-ended my cruiser,” Rudesill said.

The suspect then fled back down Warren Ravenna Road. The officer tried to follow, but the cruiser engine died. Newton Falls police took up the pursuit.

Joseph M. Dempsey Jr., 33, was identified as the driver by witnesses. Dempsey drove through three yards and a fence before crashing in a yard and fleeing on foot, police reported.

Warren city police brought in a police dog to track Dempsey, but officers were unable to locate him. The Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio State Highway Patrol also assisted.

“We’re thinking that the guy, the reason why he ran, he was possibly intoxicated and or high,” Rudesill said.

Prior to the incident, Dempsey had several warrants out for his arrest through Warren city and the state patrol, according to Rudesill. More felony charges are expected through Braceville Township. Over the last decade, Dempsey has been booked into the Trumbull County jail multiple times on drug-related charges, according to jail records.

The officer who was rear-ended had minor injuries but is OK, according to Rudesill. The police cruiser likely will be a complete loss.

Rudesill said he is glad his officer was not badly hurt.

“I can replace the cruiser; I can’t replace him,” Rudesill said.

avugrincic@tribtoday.com

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