EASTLAKE, Ohio — An 18-year-old Willoughby man eluded police officers during a pursuit, but was taken into custody when he returned to the crime scene for his lost hat, police said.
Otha Montgomery was arrested in connection with the incident that happened about 2:15 a.m. Tuesday. He is being held at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office on a $3,500 bond.
An officer tried to stop Montogmery’s car after he ran a red light on SOM Center Road, according to an arrest report. Montgomery sped up and turned on to East 348th Street and then on to Stevens Boulevard.
He pulled into a driveway, bailed from the car and ran, police said. A man in the passenger’s seat gave police Montgomery’s description, including the black baseball cap he was wearing.
Investigators stopped a man — later identified as Montgomery — walking near Glen Drive. Montgomery told police that he was walking to a friend’s house. He was not arrested.
Montgomery later returned to the scene where the pursuit ended and gave officers a detailed description of a hat he was looking for, reports show. Police found that hat in a flowerbed and arrested Montgomery.
He denied being the driver, police said. Back at the police station, Montgomery called a friend and told the story of the pursuit, police said.
Montgomery is charged with failing to comply with a police order, obstructing official business and various traffic violations. He pleaded not guilty in Willoughby Municipal Court Wednesday.
He is scheduled to appear in court at 9:30 a.m. May 26.
