Suspect apprehended after several hour manhunt through Liberty Twp.
After a several hour search, police have found and arrested the suspect who they said hit a Liberty Township police cruiser, causing an officer to be thrown from the car during a pursuit.
After a several hour search, police have found and arrested the suspect who they said hit a Liberty Township police cruiser, causing an officer to be thrown from the car during a pursuit.
Trumbull County Dispatch said 32-year-old Jerome Prieto of Youngstown was arrested by police around 12:30 a.m. Saturday.
Liberty Township Interim Police Chief Toby Meloro said Weathersfield Township Police were in a pursuit Friday starting around 7:30 p.m.
Meloro said Weathersfield Police tried to stop Prieto at Route 422 and Tibbetts Wick Road. He said Prieto did stop but then fled. It's still unclear why he was being pulled over in the first place.
During the pursuit, Meloro said Prieto hit a Liberty Police cruiser and the officer inside, Chad McGarry, was ejected from the car.
Meloro said the suspect then fled on foot.
Police had the area around Logan Way and Tibbetts Wick Road blocked off and told residents near the area to stay indoors while they searched for the suspect for about five hours.
Dispatch said there were at least 30 officers on scene as well as K9 units and thermal imaging.
Meloro said they found the suspect along the railroad tracks near Youngstown Hubbard Road right before they were going to call the search off for the night. The suspect surrendered himself to police.
Meloro told 21 News his team stayed out extra hours to find the suspect who injured a fellow officer.
RELATED COVERAGE: Officer released from hospital after his cruiser was hit during pursuit in Liberty
In the suspect's car, there were two loaded guns that were both reported stolen, Meloro said.
Prieto is booked in the Trumbull County Jail on charges of having weapons under disability, improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, failure to comply, receiving stolen property and carrying a concealed weapon.
Meloro said more charges are expected to come.