TROY — Tevyn Wilkins, 22, of Sidney, is in the Shelby County Jail following a chase that began in Shelby County before 9 p.m. ended on southbound Interstate 75 nearly 30 minutes later with a suspect in custody on Saturday evening.
The pursuit began when Wilkins allegedly fled when Sidney Police Officer Jim Jennings attempted to serve an arrest warrant. The chase left Sidney and was picked up by troopers from the Piqua Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol who reported to Miami County dispatch that they were attempting to stop a southbound black pickup truck. The chase entered Miami County on Troy-Sidney Road where county agencies were made aware and began to assist OHP and Sidney Police’s efforts to apprehend the suspect.
According to Miami County Sheriff’s deputies, early reports that shots had been fired were false but that was not known to officers at the time of the pursuit.
The chase, with speeds reported to be in the 60 mph range, made its way to southbound I-75 where deputies from the Miami County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit. As the chase approached Troy, OSP troopers reported roads were wet but traffic light and speeds in the 70-mile-per-hour range.
Wilkins left I-75 at the state Route 41 interchange and proceeded west on state Route 41. Officers from Troy began to position themselves, along with OSP and deputies to have options of road spikes or a rolling road block.
As Wilkins approached Eldean Road, he reversed directions and headed back toward Troy, where he turned north on I-75. Wilkins again turned around in the median and went south around the 79-mile marker.
Troopers, deputies, and Troy and Sidney police began to box in his vehicle and caused Wilkins to hit road spikes around the 74-mile marker. The chase began to slow as the pickup truck’s two driver’s side tires deflated. Officers blocked all southbound lanes of I-75 as the vehicle stopped around the 73 mile marker.
Wilkins was ordered out of his vehicle at gunpoint. He surrendered and was taken into custody without incident. His vehicle was searched and no weapon was found.
He was taken to the Shelby County Jail where, in addition to charges from the arrest warrant, Wilkins will face a list of charges from the pursuit, which include failure to comply with a police officer. He was sechedule to appear in Sidney Municipal Court Monday morning.
