Suspect who escaped custody sought

5/21/2006

Perrysburg Township police searched for three hours last night for a West Toledo man who, after being arrested in a shoplifting case, escaped police in front of their station, authorities said.

Edward Lee Wahl, 20, whose last known address was in the 3900 block of Hazelhurst Avenue, fled about 7 p.m. when he was let out of a police car in front of the township police station, 26711 Lime City Rd., police said.

Mr. Wahl was arrested yesterday on suspicion of shoplifting from Kohl's, 10323 Fremont Pike. He also has a felony burglary warrant out of Lucas County, police said.

He ran southwest through the fields along U.S. 20, west of Lime City Road. He had one handcuff on. Mr. Wahl was described as Hispanic, 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and weighing 185 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Township police, assisted by many area law enforcement agencies, a search dog, the township fire department's aerial ladder truck, and a Life Flight helicopter, called off the search about 10 p.m.