Bellefontaine police arrested a man early Sunday morning after reports of a vehicle driving recklessly, nearly hitting other motorists and property on the city’s south side.
The first call came in around 12:34 a.m., when dispatchers received reports of a dark-blue BMW with a silver front end speeding around blocks near South Main Street, East Lake Avenue, and Greenwood Street.
Callers stated the driver was drifting, running stop signs, and driving through alleys and yards.
Officers found a matching BMW with a warm hood and the smell of burning brakes behind a residence in the 1000 block of South Main Street, but no one was inside the vehicle.
The license plate on the BMW was registered to a different vehicle.
About an hour later, at 1:29 a.m., officers were dispatched back to the area for the same car reportedly nearly sideswiping another vehicle.
When officers arrived, they again spotted the BMW speeding through an alley before it quickly ducked into the Iron City parking lot and then returned to the same South Main Street address.
Fresh tire tracks in the snow showed the vehicle had driven off the roadway several times, through grass and yards, narrowly missing several fixed objects—including street signs, utility poles, and a privacy fence.
While checking the residence, officers made contact with 28-year-old Joseph Harrington, who admitted he had been driving the vehicle both times officers responded.
Harrington also told police he attempted to hide earlier by pulling into a business parking lot and turning off his headlights.
It was discovered that Harrington did not have a valid driver’s license and had an active warrant out of Union County.
At that time, he was placed under arrest on the warrant.
Harrington had multiple prior convictions for driving under suspension.
Officers issued him several new citations, including:
- No operator’s license
- Driving under a non-compliance suspension
- Fictitious registration
- Reckless operation
He was later transferred to the Union County Sheriff’s Office after confirmation of the warrant.
