Ohio man steals car with sleeping passenger in back who texted real-time updates to police
(Photo: Tiffin, Ohio Police Department)
TIFFIN, Ohio - An Ohio man stole a car with a passenger asleep in the back, who was eventually able to text real-time location updates to police.
Police say the incident started at the Taylor Hyundai in Findlay Saturday afternoon when two teenagers went to trade in their car. Justin M. Vaughn, 31, got into the driver's seat of the car and drove away from the dealership with a 19-year-old in the backseat.
The 17-year-old car owner was able to track the vehicle's location as Vaughn sped away on US 224, and the passenger still in the backseat was texting real-time updates that were relayed to Tiffin police officers as the vehicle approached the city.
Officers spotted the car and attempted a traffic stop near the Tiffin Mercy Hospital, but Vaughn didn't stop and led them on a pursuit, according to a news release.
Seneca County deputies assisted Tiffin police officers in the pursuit that eventually ended in a crash south of the county-line on SR 100, in Crawford County.
Vaughn and the passenger were treated at the scene for minor injuries, police said. Vaughn was arrested and charged with kidnapping, aggravated robbery, theft of a motor vehicle and fleeing/eluding police.