On Tuesday October 8th, 2019 at approximately 8:17 PM officers stopped a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica at 680 North Main Street in reference to a license plate violation. The 34 year old driver, Luke A. Porter was contacted and found to be wanted on several outstanding warrants. As officers spoke to a female, front seat passenger, Mr. Porter was asked to exit the vehicle at which time he ignored the officer’s lawful orders and became noncompliant. Despite officer’s commands not to do so, Mr. Porter restarted the vehicle, put it in reverse and fled the scene at which time three Mansfield Police Officers were injured, including at least two who were struck by the open doors of the suspect vehicle (see attached General Offense Report). The suspect vehicle, also, struck a marked cruiser as it fled the lot.
Mr. Porter was able to successfully flee the scene, traveling northbound on State Route 13 (North Main Street) at a high rate of speed with officers in pursuit. The pursuit lasted approximately 20 miles with Mr. Porter making numerous traffic infractions, while refusing to stop. Mr. Porter drove through several farm fields in an attempt to lose the pursuing officers, before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot. Officers then pursued Mr. Porter on foot at which time he was taken into custody in the area of 282 Baseline Road West in Shiloh, Ohio. The front seat passenger in Mr. Porter’s vehicle advised she had attempted to exit the vehicle as he began to flee but was grabbed by Mr. Porter and pulled back into the vehicle by her hair. This was corroborated by a witness at the scene. Both the witness and front seat passenger gave a voluntary statements to officers.
Mr. Porter was charged with “Abduction”, “Felonious Assault on a Peace Officer”, and Failure to Comply” as well as the previous outstanding warrants. He was transported to the Richland County Jail and incarcerated. The case remains under investigation.
The three officers injured during the incident sustained minor injuries and returned to work.