Columbus police release dashcam of a wild pursuit that ended in a crash and arrest of armed suspects
By: -----
Columbus Police have released bodycam footage from a wild police chase that occurred on the east side of the city Tuesday evening.
Jolan Rutherford and Ondae Sullivan, both 21, were pursued by authorities after a victim flagged down officers near Sullivant Ave. and Ogden Ave., saying they were robbed at gunpoint.
Officers on the east side spotted a vehicle tag matching the suspect vehicle from the robbery, police Sgt. James Fuqua said. They pursued the vehicle, and the suspects crashed in the 1100 block of Alum Creek Drive.
The pursuing officer crashed his cruiser as well, which caused his partner to accidentally fire his weapon. Brian Steel, the Fraternal Order of Police President, explained how that happened.
"As his partner, the passenger was removing his weapon to get out of the vehicle, because he was now going to get in a foot chase with armed suspects, unfortunately, the airbag hit him in the face and jolted him, and he accidentally discharged his weapon," Steel said.
The two officers were taken to a local hospital for minor injuries sustained during the arrest. They were later released.
Detectives in court documents said Sullivan and Rutherford discarded a gun and face coverings used in the robbery.
Sullivan faces felony fleeing and eluding and tampering with evidence. Rutherford faces a single charge of tampering with evidence.