Search Continues for Suspects in Armed Robbery Spree that Left Columbus Police Officer Critically Wounded
Columbus, OH – The search is still ongoing for two of three suspects wanted in connection with an armed robbery spree that took place on Thursday, leaving a Columbus police officer critically wounded and one suspect dead. The incident occurred during a shootout on eastbound Interstate 70 near West Mound Street in South Franklinton.
After the shootout, the two remaining suspects fled on foot down a hill from the interstate into the area near Mount Calvary Cemetery and the Franklin County Children Services building. Despite a large law enforcement response, including the use of a search dog and a Columbus police helicopter, the suspects were not located.
The wounded Columbus officer, who was struck high in the leg, was rushed to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center by his partner. He underwent emergency surgery on Thursday evening and his condition has since been upgraded to stable. The officer, who has less than five years of experience with the Columbus police, has not been identified by authorities.
During a press conference, Brian Steel, a Columbus police officer and executive vice president of Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9, referred to the two suspects at-large as “wolves” and assured that the police would eventually find them. He urged the suspects to turn themselves in, emphasizing the consequences of their actions by mentioning the death of their accomplice during the shootout.
The incident began when one of the suspects stole the keys to a black Porsche Cayenne SUV at gunpoint from an employee at the Byers Import Porsche Columbus dealership in Whitehall. The dealership activated the SUV’s anti-theft GPS tracking software and reported the stolen vehicle to the police. The suspects later robbed a Fifth Third Bank on the city’s Far West Side before being confronted by the police.
A chase ensued, leading the suspects to I-70 eastbound, where they began shooting at officers near the West Mound Street ramp. During the shootout, the officer was shot and one suspect was killed. The wounded officer’s partner immediately transported him to Grant Medical Center. All officers involved in the incident were equipped with body cameras, and the Ohio Bureau of Investigation will be reviewing the footage.
The search for the two suspects caused several interstate sections, as well as a portion of Route 315, to be closed by the police. This resulted in major traffic disruptions for afternoon commuters. The shutdown of I-70 in both directions through a large part of the city continued late into Thursday night as investigators examined the shooting scene.
Police have provided somewhat vague descriptions of the two suspects still at-large. They are described as Black men, with one wearing a white T-shirt, black pants, and white tennis shoes, and the other wearing a red-and-white striped shirt, black pants, and white tennis shoes. Authorities are urging anyone with information about their whereabouts to contact 911 or the Columbus police.
Police Chief Elaine Bryant joined the call for the suspects to surrender, emphasizing that the police will continue to search for them until they are found. The investigation into the shootout is being handled by the Ohio Bureau of Investigation, which investigates all shootings involving Columbus police that result in injury or death.
Dispatch reporters Max Filby, Cole Behrens, and Jenn Smola contributed to this article.
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Bethany Bruner
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What measures are currently being taken by law enforcement to locate and apprehend the remaining two suspects in the armed robbery spree?
Search for the remaining two suspects in an armed robbery spree that resulted in a Columbus police officer being critically injured is still underway. The incident occurred during a shootout on eastbound Interstate 70 near West Mound Street in South Franklinton.
After the shootout, the two suspects fled on foot into the area near Mount Calvary Cemetery and the Franklin County Children Services building. Despite an extensive search effort involving law enforcement, including a search dog and a Columbus police helicopter, the suspects have not been found.
The injured officer, who was shot in the leg, was quickly taken to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center by his partner. He underwent immediate surgery and is now in stable condition, although his identity has not been released.
During a press conference, Brian Steel, an executive vice president of Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9, referred to the at-large suspects as “wolves” and expressed confidence that they would eventually be apprehended. He called on the suspects to surrender, emphasizing the consequences of their actions by noting the death of their accomplice during the shootout.
The incident began when one of the suspects stole keys to a black Porsche Cayenne SUV at gunpoint from an employee at the Byers Import Porsche Columbus dealership in Whitehall. The investigation into the armed robbery spree is ongoing.
This incident underscores the pressing need for improved security measures and swift action to apprehend these dangerous suspects. The safety of the community should always be a top priority.