What started as a routine Ohio State Highway Patrol traffic stop on I‑76 turned into a 32‑minute, high-speed sprint across three interstates and several Youngstown-area streets Friday, ending when deputies arrested 36‑year‑old Joshua Collmar on Tippecanoe Road, according to the Portage County Sheriff's Office. The SUV finally came to a stop after hitting an embankment and blowing a tire, and deputies say Collmar was taken into custody without further incident.
How the chase unfolded
Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol first pulled the SUV over on I‑76 near mile marker 48, authorities say. When the driver took off, deputies from the Portage Aggressive Crime Enforcement (P.A.C.E.) unit were called in to take the lead.
As P.A.C.E. units arrived, the trooper retreated to his cruiser and the suspect hit the gas, sparking a pursuit that quickly drew in multiple agencies. The Portage County Sheriff’s Office later posted video of the chase on its social media feed.
Route and speeds
Deputies report the pursuit ran along I‑76, I‑80 and I‑680 before veering off onto surface streets in Youngstown, Canfield Township and Boardman. Speeds topped 124 mph at times.
Reporting by Cleveland 19 (WOIO) puts the total length of the chase at roughly 32 minutes and notes the SUV eventually struck an embankment, causing a flat tire that brought the vehicle to a halt on Tippecanoe Road.
Arrest and charges
Deputies say they arrested 36‑year‑old Joshua Collmar on Tippecanoe Road and took him into custody without additional incident. According to the sheriff's office, Collmar had an active felony warrant out of Boardman Township for theft at the time of the stop.
Deputies did not list any injuries from the pursuit, according to a Portage County Sheriff's Office - Ohio’s social media post, which did not list any injuries from the chase.
Suspect's record
In a social media post, the sheriff’s office referenced Collmar’s background, and coverage by Cleveland 19 (WOIO) lists an extensive criminal history for Collmar that includes domestic violence, resisting arrest and drug-related offenses.
News 5 Cleveland previously reported that Collmar was arrested in Summit County in connection with a series of break-ins earlier this month.
Investigation and next steps
Portage County deputies say the case remains under active investigation and that any additional charges will be handled through local prosecutors. Anyone with information about the pursuit is asked to contact the Portage County Sheriff’s Office. The department’s social media post includes video from the chase.
