Dayton Daily News July 26, 2002

LINK

Police chase ends when suspect's prosthetic leg falls off

Police say man, two others tried ‘to ram the cruiser’ with van

By Martha Hardcastle

ENGLEWOOD | Police said they caught a Dayton man Thursday when his prosthetic leg fell off.

The chase began in Englewood at 3:30 a.m. when officer Chip Ridgeway noticed a full-sized van parked at Tractor Supply Co. at Hoke Road and Ohio 49.

Ridgeway suspected the men were trying to steal riding lawn mowers, Detective Mike Lang said.

"As soon as they saw the cruiser, the suspects started driving toward the cruiser and swerved around it at the last minute," Lang said.

Ridgeway began to chase the men.

"Our criteria for pursuit is a violent felony, and the suspects attempted to ram the cruiser," Lang said. "So the decision was made to pursue. Also, being in the early hours of the morning with light traffic, the danger to other motorists is diminished."

Sgt. Larry Hicks and Officer Tony Powers of Englewood and Sgt. Steve Caudell of Clayton pursued the vehicle with Ridgeway.

"They went eastbound Interstate 70 to southbound I-75, to eastbound Needmore (Road) to southbound Route (Ohio) 202," Lang said. "Then they traversed some of the plats and came out on Route (Ohio) 201 in Riverside."

The chase ended in Garden Court, a Riverside cul-de-sac, where the suspects could not drive any farther.

"The van sideswiped a tree, so the only person able to flee was the driver, Michael Ford, who took off on foot with the officers in pursuit," Lang said.

Ford's artificial leg then fell off.

"He only made it as far as the back yard as he had a prosthetic leg, which came off when he was running and decreased his mobility."

Ford, 41, James Griffie Jr., 31 and David Jones, 38, were apprehended, with charges pending with the Montgomery County prosecutor. Lang said all three suspects have a criminal history.

-- (lars@indy.net), July 26, 2002

Answers

This is sooooooo insensitive.

-- (lars@indy.net), July 26, 2002.

Talk about prosthetic legs coming off reminds me of a story of some years back. The handicapped public transportation service in this area is famous for being late, mostly because they are underfunded for the volume they are expected to serve. I used to work in building on the campus of the local community hospital. Our work group periodically met in one of the meeting rooms available at the hospital. One day, on the way to a meeting, I passed into the lobby and noticed a wheelchair bound lady waiting for transportation. I noticed she had a posthetic leg which had a fancy printed sock on it. Just as I came in, the VanTran van pulled up, and she said, "oh, it's finally come for me" as I passed by. An hour later, when the meeting was over, and I again passed through the hospital lobby, I noticed she was gone, but her prosthetic sock covered leg was still sitting in the same spot. I always wondered if she ever got it back...

-- Aunt Bee (Aunt__Bee@hotmail.com), July 26, 2002.

I don't have a prosthetic leg but I do have a pathetic leg.

-- (lars@indy.net), July 26, 2002.

Me too but only when I stand.

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), July 26, 2002.

I really dig sex with a one-legged woman.

-- (emil@disability.expo), July 26, 2002.

"Still Standing"

-- (Anita Hollander @ culture.vulture), July 27, 2002.

Lars and Carlos: An osteo-arthritic foot's not too damn hot, take it from me. No more running or tennis for me, ever. Swimming's my game now.

-- Peter Errington (petere7@starpower.net), July 27, 2002.