An Alledonia man was arrested Monday night after leading a Belmont County deputy on a chase, first in a car, and then on foot.
Sheriff Dave Lucas said Franklin Welch, 28, was driving on Banfield Road and was spotted by a deputy who knew there was a warrant out for him. He pulled him over, but the sheriff said Welch hit the gas and sped away, while a woman passenger could be heard screaming to be let out.
He said Welch stopped briefly to let her out, then sped off again, soon jumping out himself and letting the car go on without a driver. The deputy got out and chased him.
“On foot into the woods. Deputy Sanders pursued Welch into the woods, very thick, steep hillside, and from all the rain, very muddy. He deployed his taser,” said Belmont County Sheriff Dave Lucas.
In the end, the deputy tazed Welch twice and got assistance from Bridgeport Police. Welch was jailed under $29,000 bond.
He’s charged with assault on an officer, resisting arrest, driving under the influence and unlawful restraint, regarding his screaming passenger.