PARMA, Ohio — A 42-year-old man from Parma was arrested and charged with Felonious Assault after allegedly firing gunshots during a pursuit that left at least one officer injured.
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According to Parma Police, the pursuit began at 11:42 p.m. on Friday, July 16 as officers initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Pearl Rd. at Brookpark Rd. After officers attempted to stop the white Chevrolet Tahoe with dark tinted windows and no visible plate, the driver -- later identified as Dennis Earl Dranse -- failed to comply and fled northbound on Pearl Rd.
Officers continued to pursue the vehicle, with Dranse allegedly firing four gunshots in the area of Denison Ave. and W. 18th St. and additional shots in the area of Denison and SR-176. The two officers and their police car were not struck and they didn't return fire.
The pursuit proceeded onto I-90 EB toward Erie, PA, with officers from the Bratenahl Police Department, Willoughby Hills Police Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol joining the pursuit. A Madison Township Police officer successfully deployed a spike strip and was injured after the suspect vehicle struck the spike strip.
The suspect vehicle slowed to a stop after passing Exit 212 with its two occupants exiting out of the passenger side door. Both occupants were found following a search into the densely wooded area south of the highway which they fled.
Dranse was been charged with one count of Felonious Assault, a first-degree felony, and is currently being held on a $1 million cash bond. His case will be presented to the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury for additional charges.
The other occupant of the vehicle, a female, was arrested for outstanding warrents.
In a statement, the Parma Police thanked the Bratenahl Police Department, Willoughby Hills Police Department, Madison Township Police Department and the troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol for their help in the pursuit, as well as the Cleveland Police Department for helping in the follow-up investigation.