South Toledo man charged with felonies after chase

4/27/2002

A Toledo man was charged with two felonies yesterday after leading police on a chase through South Toledo.

Michael Flahiff, 21, of 870 Colburn St. was being held in the Lucas County jail on charges of fleeing and eluding and attempted aggravated vehicular assault. He also faces traffic charges for impeding traffic and driving while his license was under suspension. He is to be arraigned Monday in Toledo Municipal Court.

The chase began about 3:30 a.m. yesterday when a car driven by Mr. Flahiff was impeding traffic in the 800 block of Colburn. When a police officer approached, the car sped away, almost striking another police cruiser before heading east on South Avenue. At another point in the pursuit, the car stopped and then reversed, nearly striking an officer, according to a police report.

Police used spikes at South and Pleasant Place to flatten one of Mr. Flahiff's tires, though the vehicle continued to speed, eventually turning south onto the Anthony Wayne Trail and shooting sparks as it exceeded 90 mph. Mr. Flahiff was arrested after the car came to a stop on Glendale Avenue near Park Forest Drive, police said.