Suspect in utility cart leads wild chase in Ravenna

RAVENNA, Ohio (WJW) – Police cameras captured a wild chase through the streets of Ravenna, but the fleeing suspect wasn’t in a sports car or high-performance truck.

The unusual chase began Sunday after a Kent State University employee stopped a Ravenna police officer and reported that it appeared a man had stolen a small utility vehicle belonging to the university.

The officer quickly caught up to the forklift, a Cushman Hauler 1200-X, and recognized the driver, Allan Roy Dluhos, 44.

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Dluhos refused to stop and took evasive action to get away, prompting the officer to call for backup.

Dash cam video shows the suspect driving several metres and parking alongside the train tracks, closely followed by police.

However, as the utility cart and the officers chasing it drove through Ravenna neighborhoods, residents weren’t entirely sure what they were seeing.

“I had just gone out to get my dog and the next minute I saw a guy driving a wagon, he looked scared as hell, but I thought it was a parade going on or, you know, there was like three police officers behind him and they were just driving by,” said Tim Brown of Ravenna.

According to the police report, the suspect nearly hit two children playing outside as he walked through their yard.

He also used the cart to ram a police car, and investigators say his reckless actions clearly convinced officers to use more aggressive tactics to stop the cart.
impression on residents who thought the suspect was playing games.

“It’s not right, man. You know, you shouldn’t steal it anyway. I don’t know what happened, but maybe he decided he just wanted to use it,” Brown said.

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Eventually, some officers rushed to the entrance of Ravenna High School and blocked the cart’s path.

Once the vehicle stopped, they took out Allan Dluhos and placed him under arrest.

Dluhos was charged with failure to comply with an officer’s order and criminal mischief.

Dluhos told investigators he was testing the cart’s brakes and could not stop for police because the brakes were not working.

“I would say that’s pretty far-fetched, man, it’s a long way from Kent,” Brown said with a laugh.

At an arraignment hearing earlier this week, Dluhos pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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