Thursday evening, law enforcement responded to reports of two vehicles—a gray Infiniti sedan and a Dodge Challenger—speeding and possibly racing westbound on US 33 near State Route 347.
Officers patrolled the area and spotted the two vehicles.
The Infiniti was leading and was clocked going 110 MPH in a 70 MPH zone.
When deputies tried to catch up, they reached speeds over 120 MPH.
As the vehicles sped away, Bellefontaine Police also tried to stop them but had to call off their pursuit due to the high speeds.
Dispatch then received a 9-1-1 call stating that the gray Infiniti had pulled into the parking lot of Town Trolley in Huntsville, and two black men had run off toward a church on Fruit Street.
Officers arrived and found the Infiniti with no license plate and signs it had been driven through a yard.
Witnesses reported seeing two men in gray sweatshirts running toward Vine Street.
Deputies and officers followed the leads and K9 Tega was sent to track the suspects.
Tega led the team to the men, who were soon seen coming from the woods with their hands up.
They were arrested and identified as Andrew Johnson, 23, of Columbus, and Anthony Smith, 34, of Gahanna.
During questioning, Johnson admitted there were two firearms in the woods.
Officers found a Glock 19 and a Glock 31.
Johnson told deputies the vehicles had been speeding and racing but didn’t know the other driver.
Smith, the passenger, said they had been racing the Challenger and ran because they were scared.
The Infiniti was later confirmed as stolen out of Gahanna and had been reported missing on March 19th.
Johnson was charged with driving under suspension, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, receiving stolen property, obstructing official business, and failure to comply with a police officer’s order.
Smith was charged with receiving stolen property and obstructing official business.
Both men were taken to the Logan County Jail.
