Kidnapping suspect in a U-Haul truck leads police on lengthy chase throughout Toledo
By: Toledo, OH - An alleged kidnapping suspect accused of leading Toledo Police officers on a chase throughout Toledo has been arrested, police say.
A city spokesperson said the police chase that lasted more than an hour came to an end near the Larchmont Estates, located on Slater near Laskey and Lewis, then the man behind the wheel tried to run away to an apartment.
Police arrested the driver, who has now been identified as Rodney Coley Jr., 35, of Toledo. He is charged with kidnapping and failure to comply. His bail was set at $125,000.
Officers were dispatched to the 3200 block of Northwood on Dec. 10 for a report of an adult being held against his will, according to Toledo Police. When crews responded to the scene, the suspect drove away in a U-Haul truck. The police pursuit throughout Toledo caused “substantial risk of serious physical harm,” charging documents said. The affidavits add that Coley lost multiple tires during the chase, but continued to drive, causing fiery sparks on the road.
The victim was not injured in the incident, police said. Court records allege Coley coerced the victim into living with him by threats and acts of violence, and said Coley forced the victim to engage in manual labor.
Authorities later found furniture and three dogs inside of the U-Haul, and LC4 was called out to the scene. One of the dogs was microchipped and has been reclaimed by its owner. The other two remain at LC4. A spokesperson says it is still unknown how the dogs ended up in the U-Haul.
Several viewer videos submitted to 13 Action News show dozens of police units chasing the vehicle at various points throughout the city. One video shows the U-Haul nearly striking stopped vehicles on Monroe Street, and another shows sparks flying off of the wheels.
During the police chase, three officers were taken to the hospital after two TPD vehicles collided, authorities said. According to a press release from TPD, the three officers suffered minor injuries and have been released from the hospital.
Officials at the scene said the two police units weren’t technically part of the pursuit, but were trying to be in the area in case the U-Haul went that way. Photos from that scene are shown at the end of this story.
Coley is due back in court on Dec. 23.