What started as a midweek burglary call in Franklin Township turned into a high-speed pursuit on Wednesday afternoon, ending in Middletown after officers used a precision immobilization maneuver to stop a fleeing car. The driver was taken into custody and now faces felony charges, according to authorities.
At about 2:34 p.m., the Franklin Division of Police was asked to assist the Warren County Sheriff's Office with a burglary in progress on Kenny Lane after a gray Kia sedan was seen leaving the area. A Franklin officer spotted the car traveling westbound on Fourth Street and tried to pull it over, but the driver took off, prompting a pursuit. Officers later used precision immobilization techniques to bring the vehicle to a halt in the city of Middletown. Police identified the driver as Zachary Clary, who was taken into custody without further incident and, according to WKRC Local 12, had an active warrant through Franklin Municipal Court and is being charged with failure to comply, a third-degree felony.
How the stop unfolded
Franklin police said officers followed the sedan onto Fourth Street and attempted a traffic stop before the driver sped away, turning the incident into a multi-agency chase that drew in Middletown police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The pursuit ultimately ended with officers using a precision immobilization maneuver, a controlled technique that caused the vehicle to spin and stop.
Police added a bit of dry humor when recapping the drama on social media. "While it’s never a good idea to commit felonies, it’s especially unwise when many of Warren County’s police canine units are training right here in Franklin," the department wrote, as reported by WKRC Local 12.
Charges and legal context
Clary is being held on the outstanding warrant and the new failure-to-comply charge, authorities said. Additional booking details were not immediately available. Photographs published by the Journal-News show Middletown officers and Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers examining the scene where the pursuit ended.
Under Ohio law, a felony of the third degree carries a possible definite prison term ranging from nine to 36 months, according to the Ohio Revised Code.
