ELYRIA — A 28-year-old Elyria man was arrested Wednesday morning following a stolen vehicle pursuit that ended on U.S. Route 20, according to the Elyria Police Department.
Police say officers were investigating a reported carjacking Wednesday evening, Feb. 4, involving an aggravated robbery near Lorain Boulevard north of Bell Avenue. The victim reported the suspect brandished a firearm before stealing the vehicle. Officers searched the area but did not locate the vehicle that night.
At approximately 9:57 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, officers located the stolen vehicle near West Avenue and Oberlin Road. An attempted traffic stop was unsuccessful, and a pursuit began, continuing south on State Route 301.
Police said the suspect entered the eastbound ramp to U.S. Route 20 before turning and traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes. The vehicle then experienced an apparent engine failure and came to rest in the eastbound lanes of U.S. Route 20, west of State Route 301.
The driver, identified as Desmond Lewis, 28, of Elyria, initially refused commands during what police described as a high-risk traffic stop. Additional law enforcement agencies, including the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, responded to assist and temporarily closed the roadway.
After approximately 30 minutes of negotiations, Lewis surrendered without further incident. No injuries were reported during the carjacking or pursuit.
Lewis was taken to the Lorain County Jail. Police said he has a prior violent criminal history involving firearms and now faces multiple charges, including receiving stolen property (vehicle), failure to comply with a lawful order, obstructing official business, and operating a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for safety.
The investigation into the carjacking remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Elyria