Richland Township – On July 25, 2024, at approximately 11:55 PM, troopers with the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol were on routine patrol when a trooper identified a vehicle that had been reported stolen traveling north on Interstate Route 75.  The vehicle was confirmed as stolen by the Lima Police Department.  A traffic stop was initiated with the 2017 Chevrolet Impala and the driver of the stolen vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued. 

Troopers with the Findlay Post were requested to assist and deployed stop stick devices.  The pursuit traveled approximately 11 miles before the suspect vehicle struck the rear of a 2022 Ford F-150 in Eagle Township, southwest of Findlay.  The driver of the F-150 pulled to the right berm.  The stolen Impala entered the median and rolled over several times, coming to final rest on it’s top. The driver of the stolen vehicle was taken into custody without further incident. 

The driver of the stolen vehicle was identified as Ryan A. Aab (16) of Lima.  Aab was taken to the Blanchard Valley Hospital with suspected minor injuries. 

The driver of the F-150 was identified as Terry W. Hopper (47) of Knoxville, Tennessee.  There were four passengers in the F-150.  None of the occupants claimed injury.

Assisting troopers on scene were the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Bluffton Police, D&D Towing, R&A Towing, Hanco EMS and Liberty Township Fire Department.  After receiving medical attention at the hospital, Ryan A. Aab was transported to the Allen County Juvenile Detention Center and potential charges will be reviewed by the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office.  All of the occupants in both vehicles were reportedly wearing seatbelts.  Alcohol or drugs are not suspected to be a factor.      

Related:

7-13-2022 Media Release from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office:Per the Allen County Juvenile Detention Center, their agency is prohibited from releasing the identity of the juvenile who escaped on Monday, July 11, 2022, however, our records indicate that Ryan A. Aab (DOB 7/22/2008) escaped from the Allen County Juvenile Detention Center. Ryan is a biracial male, 4ft 8in, 112 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. No photo is available. His last known residence was Lima, Ohio.