LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — A Findlay man is being held in the Allen County Jail on charges stemming from a 2021 incident in which he allegedly fired at law enforcement officers during a pursuit around Bluffton.
Ronald Powell Jr., 53, was indicted by the April Allen County Grand Jury on charges of felonious assault, discharging a firearm on or near prohibited premises, failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, having weapons under disability, breaking and entering, grand theft of a motor vehicle, and theft.
In December 2021, a Bluffton police officer attempted to pull Powell over, and a chase ensued. Powell allegedly fired shots from his vehicle at the officer during the pursuit, then stopped on Bentley Road and fired more shots at the officer, who returned fire. Powell and his passenger, Amanda Wrede, fled on foot and hid in a nearby wooded area. Law enforcement apprehended Wrede, but Powell escaped and allegedly stole a vehicle from a Bluffton business.
Powell allegedly fired shots from his vehicle at the officer during the pursuit, then stopped on Bentley Road and fired more shots at the officer, who returned fire.
Powell later traveled to Toledo, where police officers engaged him in another pursuit. During the chase, Powell struck a Toledo police cruiser. Officers deployed stop sticks to disable the tires of the stolen vehicle, and he eventually surrendered to authorities in Monroe County, Michigan. A loaded firearm was found inside the vehicle.
At the time, Powell was facing charges in Lucas County and had outstanding warrants. According to jail records, he was returned to Allen County in March and is being held on a $2 million bond.
No court dates have been scheduled yet in the case.
