In an effort to reduce drug sales, gun crimes, and traffic pursuits in the City of Dayton, officers utilize the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSP) aircraft to track vehicles who fail to comply with traffic stops. These air patrols are helping to catch drivers in pursuit from police cruisers.
On Thursday, four arrests were made in two different incidents with the help of the OSP aviation unit, according to Dayton police reports.
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Ahlea Graham-Johnson, 23, was charged with obstructing official business and a parole violation. Charles Warren, 28, was charged with obstructing official business and was later released. James Mitchel, 39, was charged with obstructing official business, failure to comply, improper use of CCW fire arms, carrying concealed weapon, and having weapons while under disability. His next court date is scheduled for Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
Graham, Warren, and Mitchel were all passengers of a 2009 Chevrolet Impala while traveling at an excessive rate of speed with a loud exhaust when they failed to comply to a traffic stop initiated by a cruiser illuminating their overhead lights and sirens.
An OSP aircraft was hovering above when they took over the pursuit and followed the Chevy for about 15 minutes before it parked in the rear of 749 Taylor Street. Three individuals fled from the vehicle, and were then caught and arrested.
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During a different incident, Marcus Blackwell, 22, was arrested and charged with obstructing official business and failure to comply with order. His next court date is set for Monday at 1:45 p.m.
Blackwell was driving a 2007 Dodge Charger with excessive tint when he failed to comply to a traffic stop when a cruiser activated their emergency lights.
An OSP aircraft took over the pursuit by keeping visuals on the Charger. Blackwell turned onto Stormont Drive, parked, and started walking down the sidewalk before police showed up and arrested him.
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