Police: Shoplifter arrested after high-speed chase

PERKINS TWP. — Sheriff's deputies arrested a Lakeside-Marblehead man Tuesday for allegedly leading police on a high-speed car chase.Matthew Hudak, 46, of the 100 block of N. Margaret Drive, was charged with failing to comply with a police order, a third-degree felony.A 911 caller notified Perkins police at about noon Saturday of two suspicious people in the parking lot of Kohl's and Home Depot on Crossings Road in Perkins Township.The caller said there were sheets over the windows and license plates of the suspicious people's car, a Jeep, and added they saw the two step out of the vehicle to change clothes, according to an Erie County Sheriff's office report.A nearby Erie County sheriff's deputy attempted to stop the car on Crossing Road, but the vehicle did not yield and continued onto Fun Drive before turning south on Milan Road, the report stated.The Jeep turned onto Bogart Road and was traveling at a "high rate of speed" and deputies called off the chase for safety reasons, according to Chief Deputy Jared Oliver.Deputies were able to read part of the Jeep's license plate, and a database search matched the plate to Hudak's vehicle, Oliver said.Police then tracked the vehicle to the 13200 block of Collins Road. A tow truck took the vehicle away.Deputies spoke with security at Kohl's on Crossings Road and determined Hudak and another individual not yet charged allegedly stole about $1,600 worth of merchandise from the store earlier Saturday, according to Oliver.Hudak was arrested and taken to the Erie County jail. He was released from jail on bond Wednesday.More Erie County Sheriff's Office articlesReach reporter Brandon Addeo at brandonaddeo@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @BrandonAddeo and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterMATTHEW D HUDAK