Authorities are searching for a suspect following a stolen vehicle investigation that led to a multi-agency response early Wednesday morning in Champaign County.
The suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Brent Grooms of Mechanicsburg.
According to the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) was issued around 2:55 a.m. March 4 for a stolen vehicle out of Urbana that had been spotted on Derr Road. Officials say Grooms had previously fled from officers in Springfield and dragged a Springfield Police Division officer approximately 10 yards before continuing to flee.
While searching for the suspect in Champaign County, a deputy observed a vehicle traveling eastbound on West Hickory Grove Road that allegedly turned off its headlights, crossed the center line and nearly struck a patrol vehicle. The deputy was forced off the roadway to avoid a collision as the vehicle continued on. Authorities believe Grooms was operating the vehicle at the time.
Law enforcement from the Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Urbana Police Division searched the surrounding area for Grooms and the stolen vehicle.
The vehicle — a 1998 Honda Civic — was later located abandoned at a trailer park on the west side of the 100 block of East Hickory Grove Road in Urbana Township. The report states the car had been spray-painted black and had a broken window.
A BOLO for Grooms remains active, and the investigation by the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office.
