Pursuit suspect indicted

SANDUSKY — A man who allegedly led deputies on a pursuit was recently indicted. Jeffrey L. Clemens, 63, of the 5200 block of W. Waterberry Drive, of Huron, is facing two counts of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer. One of the counts is a fourth-degree felony, the other is a third-degree felony. The fourth-degree felony count alleges that Clemens "did operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to bring his motor vehicle to a stop," according to the indictment. The third-degree felony count is similarly worded but alleges Clemens' actions "caused a substantial risk of serious physical harm to persons or property." The pursuit At about 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 8, Erie County deputies were alerted that Clemens reportedly fled from a Berlin Heights police traffic stop. Clemens reportedly fled northbound on Ohio 61 and continued westbound on Ohio 2 before looping back eastbound, driving through Huron and ending up westbound on Bogart Road. At the intersection of Bogart and Camp roads, deputies successfully deployed a spike strip and punctured at least one of Clemens' SUV tires, according to an Erie County Sheriff's Office report. Clemens then continued down Bogart and turned into the Lakefield Manor subdivision. He was able to drive his vehicle all the way home and park in his garage. Deputies then removed Clemens from the vehicle when he refused to exit. He was arrested and taken to Erie County Jail. He was later released on bond. Out of state Clemens allegedly broke his bond conditions by leaving the state without permission. A bench warrant was issued on March 2 for his arrest. On March 6, Erie County deputies traveled to LaGrange County, Indiana, to pick up Clemens who was in custody there. He has been in Erie County Jail ever since, under a no-bond order. Ottawa County also has a warrant for Clemens for charges in that jurisdiction. He is facing seven misdemeanors from four incidents: • April 13, 2024 — Menacing • June 14, 2024 — Telecommunications harassment • Nov. 20, 2024 — Telecommunications harassment and menacing • Feb. 25, 2025 — Open container of alcohol and expired operator's license