(UPDATED 6:19 P.M.) WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP — Local authorities are currently searching for a suspect involved in a multi-law enforcement chase and subsequent crash at 2112 Mansfield-Lucas Road.
According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect at-large is Robert D. Beane, identified as a 27-year-old black male. After the crash, Beane fled the scene on foot with a 10-month-old boy.
Amber Alert of Ohio stated Beane “allegedly abducted his 10-month-old son after pistol whipping his girlfriend. (He is) considered armed and dangerous.”
Shelby Police Chief Lance Combs stated during a 6 p.m. media briefing that law enforcement is planning to search into the night, for the sake of the 10-month-old’s safety.
“Until we find that kid, we’re not leaving,” Combs said. “Everybody is still in good spirits and working very hard to locate Robert and his child.”
Beane is described as being 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 175 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He is wearing a white t-shirt and has tattoos on his neck.
Combs stated during a 5 p.m. media briefing that the U.S. Marshals have now offered a reward of up to $5,000 for the capture of Beane. Hourly briefings are expected until Beane is captured.
Combs also requested that local media cease the use of drones flying over the area where the active search is taking place.
“News reports, social media, or other information that could capture law enforcement activities or expose avenues of escape or surveillance could hamper our efforts to take Beane into custody or assist in locating and rescuing the child,” he said.
Combs stated during a 3:30 p.m. briefing that Beane was first arrested by the U.S. Marshals in Elyria on June 28 on an armed robbery/kidnapping case out of Elyria. While incarcerated in the Lorain County Jail, he was released on a medical furlough and fled the hospital on July 5.
Combs stated Beane stole a gray 2018 Chevrolet Camaro in Elyria at 4 a.m. on July 25. The car’s license plate number is HAQ8308. Beane drove the car to his girlfriend’s residence in Lorain at approximately 5:30 a.m. where he pistol whipped her and fled the scene with their 10-month-old son.
The vehicle was confirmed to be in Shelby the morning of July 25. As law enforcement from several agencies responded to attempt to locate and take Beane into custody, the vehicle left Shelby and was observed heading toward Ashland on U.S. 42.
After the vehicle was observed by law enforcement near Baney Road, a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit was lengthy and was lost and picked up several times, according to Combs. The pursuit resulted in a crash of the stolen vehicle at 2112 Mansfield-Lucas Road, and Beane exited the vehicle with his 10-month-old son and fled on foot, according to a local resident who witnessed the crash.
Authorities from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Mansfield Police Department, Ontario Police Department, Shelby Police Department, United States Marshal’s Office, and Federal Bureau of Investigation are involved, as well as local fire departments and rescue units.
The Sheriff’s Office stated the perimeter is secured, and residents in the area are advised to secure themselves in place. Anyone with information about the case is advised to call 911 if in the immediate area, or call 1-866-4-WANTED.
Less than two miles from the scene of the crash is Happy Hollow Day Camp. According to a tweet from Friendly House, all campers have been taken to Friendly House and can be picked up at Friendly House today before 5:30 p.m.
There was also a plane in the sky searching for the suspect across multiple checkpoints along Mansfield-Lucas Road, including a wooded area.
This story will be updated as more details from local law enforcement officials become available.
