TOOL AND DIE … The Toledo Tool and Die of Pioneer was the site of a tense incident between Williams County Sheriff’s Deputies and an unidentified female. Areas of grass have been driven through and torn up at the location. (PHOTOS BY FORREST CHURCH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
On the night of Wednesday, December 6th, a yet unidentified female was spotted sitting in her vehicle outside the Lake View United Brethren Church, which sits across the state line in Michigan, north of Pioneer.
The vehicle in question was apparently stuck in the dirt with the female inside. An individual went to check on the female in question and noticed that she may be under the influence of something.
Contact was made with the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office which began to send deputies that way. The unidentified female however was able to get her vehicle unstuck and began to drive towards Pioneer.
A good Samaritan, who was present at the time the female left the church, began to follow her as she made her way to Jim’s Carry-Out in Pioneer.
Contact was subsequently made with the Pioneer Police Department, who were in the middle of a shift change at the time.
Due to this, sheriff’s deputies were sent to investigate the driver, who by now had made her way from Jim’s over to the Toledo Tool and Die Company on Kexon Drive.
Two deputies arrived on scene and began to make contact with the female. According to Pioneer Mayor Ed Kidston and corroborated by Pioneer Police Chief Tim Livengood, the female began traveling towards the officers, with unconfirmed reports also being received that the female attempted to hit one of the officers with her vehicle.
This interaction reportedly led to a weapons discharge taking place at the female by the Williams County Sheriff’s Office.
The female was able to get clear of the deputy’s vehicle and led them on a chase which ended just outside the village limits, but still in Ohio. First responders from Pioneer responded to the scene to treat the female subject.
A press release has since been sent out by the Williams County Sheriff’s Office that states “Last evening two Williams County Sheriff’s deputies were involved in an incident in Pioneer originating from a vehicular pursuit. As a result, shots were fired. There were no injuries to the officers.”
“The suspect received minor injuries as a result of an accident the ended the pursuit. The suspect is in custody. The incident is under investigation with the assistance of BC&I.”
Additional unconfirmed reports have also been received, with one report being that the female subject was stopped through the use of a tactical pit maneuver and another being that several vehicles were struck by the subject in the Toledo Tool and Die parking lot.
No vehicles in the parking lot show signs of damage at the time of writing, however, multiple areas of grass have been torn up by a vehicle at the Toledo Tool and Die location and at the Lake View Church.
Attempts to contact Toledo Tool and Die have been made with no response being received at this time. Contact was also made with Jim’s Carry-Out with The Village Reporter being told nothing transpired at that location.
The Williams County Sheriff’s Office considers the matter an open investigation and will release more information following its conclusion.
The Pioneer Police Department wished to express their thanks to the Williams County Sheriff’s Office for their good work, dedication, and all-around great working relationship the two agencies share.