Man arrested after 75 mph chase

MARGARETTA TWP. — Sheriff's deputies arrested a man Saturday who allegedly drove over 70 mph to escape law enforcement and later crashed his vehicle. Malachi Moreno, 19, of Fremont, was arrested and charged with drug trafficking and failure to comply with police orders, both felonies, along with misdemeanor counts of operating a vehicle under the influence, marijuana possession, drug possession and several traffic violations. The incident started at about 5:25 p.m. when a deputy pulled over a vehicle on Ohio 269 for a traffic violation, according to an Erie County sheriff's report. The driver, identified as Moreno, allegedly drove away after the deputy stopped his vehicle. The ensuing pursuit turned onto Ohio 101 and reached speeds of 75 mph. Sheriff's deputies called off the chase near the Erie-Sandusky county line, but another deputy found Moreno's vehicle in Castalia, sparking a second chase. Moreno's vehicle eventually crashed through a guardrail at U.S. 6 and Ohio 269 and he allegedly fled on foot, the report states. He was tackled by a civilian in the area and a deputy then took him into custody. Deputies allegedly found mason jars and baggies of marijuana and prescription pills, along with a digital scale and cash, according to the report. Law enforcement also said they detected the odor of alcohol coming from Moreno and he allegedly refused a sobriety test. Moreno was taken to the Erie County Jail and is being held without bond as of Monday afternoon.