A Columbus man stole the van of a person who stopped to help him with a disabled vehicle and lead deputies on a chase, the Madison County Sheriff's Office said.
Just before 8:30 a.m. Aug. 2, the sheriff's office received a report of a disabled vehicle on State Route 161 east of Plain City, the office said. Additional 911 calls reported a carjacking related to the vehicle.
Deputies learned someone had stopped to help the driver of the disabled vehicle, a 39-year-old Columbus man, the sheriff's office said.
The man climbed into the victim's van and assaulted the victim before leaving in the van, the sheriff's office said.
Shortly after, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, the Union County Sheriff's Office and Dublin police officers found then van
and attempted a traffic stop.
The driver did not comply and led authorities on a brief pursuit, according to the Madison County Sheriff's Office press release. The van went off the road and stopped in a field, disabled, and the man was taken into custody.
The sheriff's office said the man will be charged with robbery and failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer. Additional charges could be filed.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information can contact the Madison County Sheriff's Office at 740-852-1332.
Public safety and breaking news reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Man stole van of victim who stopped to help, fled, Madison sheriff says
