JUVENILES APPREHENDED AFTER 18-WHEELER JOYRIDE - Three County Slow-Speed Chase Ends In Grantsville

(06/12/2005)

An 18-wheeler truck, reportedly stolen by two 15-year-old juveniles from Harrison County, led authorities on a long joy-ride across three counties, coming to a stop on Grantsville's main street, where the vehicle became lodged under a store canopy. Grantsville Police Chief Ron Gordon took the two youths into custody at 3:20 a.m. Sunday. The Gilmer County Sheriff's Department began trying to stop the large rig about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, originally suspecting the driver might be under the influence. The rig ran through a road block and continued on Route 5 west toward Grantsville, maintaining a speed of about 35-miles-per-hour. Calhoun County Sheriff Carl Ballengee, who was returning from Clarksburg where he had taken a person to the hospital, joined Gilmer authorities in the slow-speed chase. Trooper 1st Class Jeff Hunt attempted to stop the truck on Route 5, but it continued toward Grantsville. Grantsville Police Chief Ron Gordon cleared the Grantsville streets of on-coming traffic, while other authorities were alerted in an effort to stop the truck. The truck turned down Main Street toward Pursley's Furniture, where it struck the store's canopy and stopped. The juveniles were not injured. None of the police cruisers were damaged.

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