Canton Man Arrested After 41-Mile Police Chase in Stolen Truck Across Two Counties
Pursuit reached speeds over 120 mph before ending in crash near Belden Village
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (June 11, 2026) — A 42-year-old Canton man is facing multiple charges after leading state troopers on a high-speed chase in a stolen pickup truck that stretched across Tuscarawas and Stark counties Tuesday evening.
According to New Philadelphia Post Sgt. Bill Bower, authorities were alerted to the stolen vehicle by its owner, a Canton business operator who was actively tracking the truck’s location using a GPS device.
“The guy that actually owned the truck had a tracker on it, so he knew where it was,” Bower said. “He was giving us good updates as to where the vehicle was and we were able to intercept it near State Routes 39 and 21, where we attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Instead, it led into a pursuit.”
The chase began shortly after 5 p.m. when troopers spotted the stolen pickup on State Route 39 in New Philadelphia. The driver refused to stop, prompting authorities to pursue the vehicle through multiple roadways, including a construction zone along U.S. Route 250 and Interstate 77 northbound.
Troopers and local law enforcement made several attempts to disable the vehicle using stop sticks, but each effort failed.
“At milepost 93 near Bolivar, officers attempted to deploy stop sticks,” Bower said. “The Silverado missed them, swerved to the left, and nearly struck both a cruiser and an officer. It briefly crossed into the southbound lanes, drove over the median, and returned to the northbound side.”
Crash Ends Pursuit Near Military Recruitment Center
The pursuit eventually came to an end in the Belden Village area when the suspect exited the interstate and crashed the stolen truck into a parked Navy van outside a military recruitment center.
Authorities say the driver then surrendered without further incident. During questioning, investigators noted behavior suggesting the man may have been experiencing mental health issues.
“He advised he intentionally struck the parked van because he wanted the federal government to get a hold of him,” Bower said.
Bower said the driver made several statements indicating delusional beliefs, including claims that he worked with federal agents and had revitalized the world.
No Injuries Reported Despite Dangerous Chase
Despite the length and intensity of the pursuit, no injuries were reported.
Bower described the incident as extensive:
“Thirty-three minutes, 41 miles, with a top speed of approximately 123 miles per hour. There were no injuries or damage to law enforcement property or any other motorists.”
The suspect was not injured in the crash, and police confirmed that no bystanders or officers were harmed during the incident.
The suspect is currently being held in the Tuscarawas County Jail.