Suspect seized after stickup, chase

1/14/2001

A Toledo man was arrested last night after he allegedly robbed a patron outside a west side pizza parlor, fired shots at police officers pursuing him, then crashed his vehicle into a police car, authorities said.

No one was hurt, police said.

The 27-year-old man was arrested about 8:35 p.m. in the parking lot of the Taco Bell restaurant at Central Avenue and Monroe Street, several minutes after he robbed the patron of about $80 outside Jo-Jo's Original Pizzeria, 4336 Monroe, police said.

As he fled westbound on Monroe in a red, late-model Ford Escort, officers took up the chase, police said.

The suspect shot several times at a patrol car driven by Officer Mark Evanoff near Hughes Drive, hitting the fender and the hood, police said.

Officers in at least seven police vehicles joined in the attempt to apprehend the suspect. When he turned onto Northwood Avenue, he collided almost head-on with a car manned by Officers Bill Hensley and Tony Moore, police said.

The suspect jumped out of his car with his hands in the air but then bolted through the parking lot of an apartment building in the 3100 block of Northwood and across the street to the Taco Bell parking lot, police said. Another police crew apprehended him there.

Police found what was believed to be the suspect's gun in his car.

Specific charges had not been filed against the man late last night.