ASHLAND — An Ashland County magistrate set bond Wednesday at $1 million for a Morrow County man arrested in Loudonville after a string of incidents spanning five counties (Richland, Ashland, Morrow, Knox and Holmes).
Officials said Joshua Boucher, 43, was wanted for his alleged involvement in a shooting in Morrow County and later a stolen truck in Ashland County. In addition, he is accused of leading law enforcement on a five-county, high-speed chase that pushed multiple area school districts into lockdown.
Boucher said it was all “a misunderstanding” during his virtually-held bond hearing with Ashland County Common Pleas Court Magistrate Paul Lange.
“I have the proof in my book bag,” he said from Ashland County Jail. “And I have a lot of evidence … and a great explanation for this.”
Boucher, who did not appear with an attorney during the hearing, faces a third-degree felony charge of failing to comply with an order or signal from law enforcement.
Michael Donatini, of the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office, said Wednesday Boucher could be facing additional charges.
As Boucher fled law enforcement in other counties, Donatini said he went left of center in Ashland County, hitting an ODOT truck.
“There were three individuals in a pick-up truck who stopped to help, and while they were assisting the ODOT driver, (Boucher) got into their pick-up and drove off,” Donatini said.
A crash report shows the ODOT truck driver, Shawn Rogers, sustained minor injuries, Donatini confirmed. As Boucher drove away, Donatini said, he led a sheriff’s deputy on a chase reaching 100 mph on county roads.
At one point, officers used a spike strip, but failed to stop him. During the pursuit, Donatini said, Boucher lost control of the truck and drove through several yards. He also said Boucher side-swiped a metal car port during the pursuit.
The deputy eventually rammed the truck just outside of Loudonville, ending the pursuit.
“The deputy sustained a possible broken ankle (in the collision),” Donatini said.
Boucher then fled on foot before hiding in a crawl space inside an unoccupied home in Loudonville.
Loudonville and Clear Fork school districts were both placed in lockdown during the incident.
Donatini said Boucher has used an alias in the past, has made death threats to business associates and has a rap sheet including aggravated menacing, cocaine possession, resisting arrest and obstructing official business.
Ashland Source could not independently verify those allegations by searching court records of nearby counties. Calls to Morrow County officials were not returned.
“He poses a serious flight risk and a danger to others,” Donatini said, requesting a $1 million bond.
At one point during Wednesday’s hearing, Boucher said he’d like to obtain a court-appointed lawyer. Lange ultimately denied his request, however, saying he was ineligible.
Boucher said he makes around $17,000 per month as someone involved with real estate. His wife, to whom Boucher said he is “happily married,” also works in the medical field.
Court records show Boucher has not hired an attorney.