OHIO — Two people were arrested late Tuesday night after a police chase on Youngstown’s South Side that ended with officers recovering two handguns, including one reported stolen, according to reports.
Gabriiyel Wright, 19, was booked into the Mahoning County Jail on fourth-degree felony charges of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle. Wright also faces a second-degree misdemeanor charge of obstructing official business.
Ta Daryl Sly, 18, was booked into jail on a fourth-degree felony charge of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and a second-degree misdemeanor charge of obstructing official business.
Both are expected to be arraigned Wednesday in municipal court.
According to police reports, officers attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Wright around 11:45 p.m. near West Warren Avenue and Hillman Street because the vehicle did not have working taillights. The vehicle allegedly refused to stop, leading officers on a chase through several South Side streets at speeds reaching up to 75 mph.
The pursuit ended in the double-digit block of St. Louis Avenue, where both occupants reportedly exited the vehicle and fled on foot.
Police said officers chased the suspects and took them into custody at gunpoint as they attempted to climb a fence a short distance away.
Investigators reported finding a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and two small bags of suspected cocaine inside the vehicle.
During the chase, a witness also reported finding another handgun near Market Street and Earle Avenue. A records check later showed the firearm had been reported stolen from Rodgers, according to reports.
Police said Wright admitted to driving the vehicle and told officers she failed to stop because she believed she had warrants for her arrest.
Authorities noted that neither suspect was charged with tampering with evidence because officers did not witness the stolen firearm being thrown from the vehicle.
The incident remains under investigation.
