A video has started circulating on social media once again that features an Ohio man stealing a car and leading police on a dangerous chase. The result led to a plethora of charges that were pleaded guilty to.
The incident in question is from February 4, when police responded to reports of a carjacking that happened near Lorain Boulevard in Elyria, Ohio. According to officers, the vehicle had been taken from the victim at gunpoint.
However, by the time police arrived, the suspect had already fled the scene with the stolen vehicle and couldn’t immediately be located. This changed the following morning when the Elyria Police Department spotted the car near West Avenue and Oberlin Road.
The driver refused to stop, which led to the chase ending up on the highway to US Route 20. Shortly after entering, He started driving westbound in the eastbound lanes, putting other drivers in danger.
Elyria Man Steals Car and Goes on Wrong-Way Joyride
Even though the driver was being chased by police, it wasn’t how the pursuit ended. The truck started suffering from engine failure and rolled to a stop in the eastbound lanes of the highway.
Considering what he put the police through, officers had to conduct a high-risk traffic stop. This ended up being a strategic idea as the driver refused to listen to the authorities, beginning a standoff.
Eventually, the suspect surrendered to law enforcement after about 30 minutes of negotiations. It was then revealed that the driver was 28-year-old Desmond J. Lewis of Elyria, Ohio.
Suspect Has an Extensive Criminal History
Lewis is no stranger to criminal activity, according to his public background. He has an extensive criminal history that ranges from resisting arrest to possession of drugs and aggravated burglary.
According to these files, the activity started as early as 2016. This would be the first time that he is being charged with a majority of his offenses.
After his surrender, Lewis was booked into the Lorain County Jail, where he waited in custody. His bond amount is currently set at $577,000, though just recently, he pleaded to a variety of different charges related to the incident.
Suspect Pleads Guilty To Different Charges
Lewis recently admitted on May 18 to different felony and misdemeanor charges tied to the February carjacking and police chase. These offenses included misdemeanor theft, grand theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, receiving stolen property, obstructing official business, and operating a vehicle in willful and wanton disregard for the safety of people or property.
According to the courts, he faces a maximum prison sentence of six years. No injuries were reported during either the robbery or the dangerous pursuit.
It is expected that Lewis will be officially sentenced on June 29. Then, he’ll know exactly how much prison time, if any, he is expected to serve.