Fremont judge jails man in chase to Port Clinton

10/1/2005

FREMONT A Port Clinton man appeared yesterday in Fremont Municipal Court on 13 charges stemming from a vehicle chase Thursday night that began here and ended just outside his home city.

Richard Bragg, 50, allegedly sped off when Fremont police attempted to pull his vehicle over on North Street to investigate a suspected speeding violation. The suspect continued onto State Rt. 53 and proceeded at high speed until just short of the Port Clinton city limits, where his vehicle went off the road, authorities said.

Mr. Bragg was charged with felony fleeing and eluding; driving under the influence of liquor, drugs, or both; unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; resisting arrest; obstructing official business, and operating while under suspension for failure to have insurance, along with seven moving violations.

Bond was set yesterday at $43,500, but because Mr. Bragg was awaiting sentencing for a prior drunken-driving conviction, Fremont Municipal Court Judge Michael Burkett ordered him jailed immediately for 10 days.