Suspect in appliance theft set for Friday court appearance

MIDDLETOWN — A Middletown man charged with stealing home appliances and leading police on a high-speed chase last week is set to appear in court Friday, April 16 for a preliminary hearing.

James Reed III, 34, faces four counts of receiving stolen property, one count of fleeing or eluding and one count of driving under suspension, according to police.

The pursuit started after officers spotted Reed wearing gloves and getting into a shed along Ohio 4 just before 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 7. Reed was wanted for his role in a theft from an area electronics store the night before.

Police said Reed fled in a 2003 Dodge minivan he had stolen Tuesday evening outside of First Financial Bank at South Breiel Boulevard in Middletown.

Police reportedly tailed the suspect across Yankee and Oxford State roads, where he then fled on foot. Reed was found after a brief search and arrested near Oxford State Road and Seneca Street, according to Middletown police.

Monroe police report a washer, dryer and microwave oven valued at $1,475 were inside of the van during the chase.

Butler County sheriff’s deputies responded to HH Gregg, 3175 Princeton Road in Fairfield Twp., following a report of stolen items that match the description of the items found in the van, police said.

Reed is presently being held in the Middletown City Jail on $12,000 bond, police said. He will appear at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 16, in Middletown Municipal Court.

Staff writers Denise Wilson and Marie Rossiter contributed to this report.

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