Cleveland — Officer Don Slapnicker's crunched up WIllowick police cruiser begins to tell the story of what started with an ATM smash and grab at the Eastlake LoanMax on Vine Street.
It happened Monday just before 4am. The thieves used one stolen car to bust through the window, another for the getaway.
35-year-old Slapnicker joins the pursuit of the suspects on the run with no regard for anyone else’s safety on I-90 and ends up crashing his cruiser into a home at E.147th and Waterloo Rd. in Cleveland.
"At the last minute he got over and when I followed him, right in the little wedge area there it's gravel and dirt and as I started to correct myself, I struck the tree and it just sent me flying into the home.
An Eastlake officer who was also still in pursuit stops immediately to check on Slapnicker.
"I just wanted out of the car becasue it was starting to smoke. The first thing I did was call my wife as soon as I got out of the car," said Slapnicker who also has 2 little Slapnickers at home.
Lake County, he reflects, knows the pain of law officers lost in the line of duty.
“Sure. Officers like (Matthew) Mazany recently and (Jason) Gresko a few years ago,” Slapnicker says, knowing how the families still pay the price.
Slapnicker’s thoughts in that moment were also for anyone inside the home. There turned out to be two people upstairs.
"We’re just so very thankful no one was hurt," said Slapnicker.
The thieves however, ran off, with no regard for how many lives they may have put on the line.
They are still on the run.
For now, Slapnicker says, but the message remains.
"Here in Lake County we're not going to put up with it. We are doing our jobs and like Chief Turner said, we will chase you. We are going to do what we can to catch you,” said Slapnicker.
Willowick police chief Brian Turner says officers consider four things before chasing criminals running from the law.
1. Severity of the offense
2. Area
3. Speed
4. Volume of traffic
In this case, Chief Turner points out at 4am, there weren't many cars on the road.