Truck stolen from Huber Heights business with worker in truck bed; suspect escapes

“As the vehicle was leaving it was reported that a person was actually in the bed of the truck,” said Huber Heights police Sgt. Brian Carr. “It was later found out that was an employee of the business.”

Two 9-1-1 callers told police that the employee jumped in the back of the truck at a red light before the truck sped off.

One of the callers followed the truck, a white Ford Ranger, on Interstate 70 and then onto state Route 4. When the stolen truck slowed down in the Chambersburg Road area, the employee was able to jump off the truck.

The caller said they believed the employee was all right, but it is unknown whether they were injured.

The pickup was seen behind an abandoned barn, Carr said, then it took off.

“Another chase ensued, which led us here to a field off Haddix Road,” he said. “Due to the large land area we called several agencies to assist us.”

Deputies from the Greene County and Clark County sheriff’s offices responded, as well as the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Huber Heights Fire Department. OSHP had an aviation unit respond to help with the search from above. The search also included a drone, ATV and K-9 unit.

Officers eventually found the stolen white Ford Ranger in a wooded area.

“As we were out with the vehicle, the suspect came out from hiding and started running south away from us,” Carr said. “At that point he was lost in a residential area. We were not able to locate him after that.”

The pickup was recovered from the wooded area, and Huber Heights police were seen dusting the driver’s side for possible fingerprints.

It’s not clear whether the suspect was armed or why he stole the vehicle. He could face grand theft auto, failure to comply and kidnapping charges as a result, Carr said.

The sergeant also advised the public against following a suspect if their vehicle is stolen.

“You should not take matters into your hands like that,” he said. “Just call 911 and let us do our investigation. We do not want anybody to risk their own safety.”