An intense confrontation between police and a young man in Winton Hills unfolded last Wednesday, leading to a chase, a SWAT arrest, and a lockdown at a local school. Marvonni Finnerson, 18, is accused of ramming a Cincinnati Police cruiser with an officer inside after a routine traffic stop escalated, according to a report by LOCAL12. Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie indicated the initial stop was part of the Place Based Investigations of Violent Offender Territories (PIVOT) program targeting violent offenders. Finnerson allegedly drove recklessly, possessed unauthorized license plates, and was unlicensed at the time.
The traffic stop quickly morphed into a foot pursuit where Finnerson is accused of displaying a firearm. "An officer chasing him fired one shot which did not hit the suspect," Interim Chief Hennie told LOCAL12. Afterward, Finnerson apparently forced his way into an apartment on Winton Road—where he does not live. A SWAT team later made the arrest, thankfully without further incident.
A brief lockdown at Winton Hills Academy occurred during the investigation. Court documents obtained by WLWT revealed that Finnerson now faces charges including felonious assault and aggravated burglary. These documents allege that Finnerson used a car to ram a police cruiser multiple times, with one officer still inside. Later entries into the Manor Winton apartments led to hours-long negotiations prior to his surrounding.
Witnesses at the scene captured images of the damage dealt to the cruiser. "The SWAT team was able to make a entry in there and apprehend the suspect without incident," Hennie stated, as quoted by WLWT. Following his arrest, Finnerson was held without bond at Hamilton County Justice Center. His actions were described in a criminal complaint where, "Finnerson purposely used a vehicle as a dangerous weapon and repeatedly rammed into a police vehicle that was occupied by a police officer," as detailed by FOX19. Finnerson is scheduled for a court appearance at 9 a.m. Thursday in Hamilton County Municipal Court.
