LIBERTY, Ohio - Liberty police received a call at approximately 7:39 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12 in regards to the theft of a vehicle at the Liberty Mini Mart on Belmont Ave.

The caller reported a male who was later identified as Keontae Smith (23) stealing his vehicle and fleeing onto Belmont Ave. to I-80 westbound. Police learned that the victim had left his keys in the car while entering the store and saw Smith driving off in his car. The victim advised a man in the parking lot that his car had just been stolen and entered his car to give chase. 

The victim advised dispatch that he had entered another subject's vehicle and began to give chase. When passing the Wendy's under the I-80 overpass, Smtih intentionally rammed into the vehicle used to chase him.

Dispatch advised the victim to cease chasing Smith, but he refused and continued to give chase. Police were advised that Smith and the victim had taken State Route 11 Southbound and got off and back on again at the Austintown exit.

Upon catching up to the two vehicles, police conducted a felony stop on the stolen vehicle. As Smith was being cuffed, he told officers, "People are trying to kill me in Youngstown. I had to take that car."

Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) revealed that Smith had active warrants from the Summit County Sheriff's Office for receiving stolen property, as well as fleeing & eluding. 

Smith was transported to the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office Jail on the charges of theft, receiving stolen property and two counts of aggravated vehicular assault.

A bank card and a set of keys were found in Smith's possession. The victim claimed these items did not belong to him. Smith claimed he did not know how he came into possession of either of these items.

The bank card was to one Louis Wilkerson. Two names were found in LEADS. One in Akron and the other in Cincinnati. Dispatch was unable to locate any public service listings for either. 

Smith was arraigned in Girard Municipal Court at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 13.