Purse snatchers lead police on chase

Pair started in East Toledo, were apprehended in Monroe

10/10/2013

Two suspected purse snatchers were in the Monroe County jail Thursday awaiting extradition to Ohio after they were arrested and accused of leading area law enforcement agents on a vehicle pursuit on I-75 that started in East Toledo and ended with a crash in Monroe, authorities said.

Charged in Toledo Municipal Court with aggravated robbery are Jose Costilla, Jr., 28, of 1323 Greenwood Ave., and Christopher Sargent, 20, of 2226 W. Sylvania Ave. As of Thursday afternoon, they were still awaiting extradition, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

Mr. Costillo, who was the driver, is also charged with failure to comply.

At 3:05 a.m., the pair allegedly robbed a woman of her purse in in the 500 block of Howland Ave., in East Toledo, police said. The victim's husband chased them on foot, at which time they reportedly shot at him.

About 3:15 a.m., Toledo police spotted a vehicle that answered the description of the one used by the suspects to flee the scene of the shooting. A pursuit, at times in excess of 100 mph, ensued up I-75 into Monroe County, where it was joined by Monroe County sheriff deputies.

The pursuit ended a short time after sheriff deputies deployed stop sticks just north of Laplaisance Road, with the suspect vehicle crashing at the exit ramp to Front Street. The pair was then apprehended, sheriff deputies said.

Toledo police Sgt. Erik Kenney was reportedly injured at some point during the incident and taken to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center for treatment. Police said the sergeant was treated and released.

The incident remained under investigation.