Three males were charged after the driver of their vehicle rammed a police car and tried to escape while driving in reverse.

On August 27th, Officer Ryan Yoder observed a vehicle that had previously been involved in criminal activity, including fleeing from officers. Acting on an inspection violation, Officer Yoder stopped the vehicle in the 700 block of Manor Street. As the stop occurred, two occupants began to walk away from the vehicle. As Officer Yoder was making contact with these two individuals the driver, a juvenile male, rammed into Officer Yoder’s car and left the parking lot.

Officer Yoder immediately pursued the car as it backed out onto the street. As Officer Yoder was leaving the parking lot, the driver accelerated forward rapidly and struck Officer Yoder’s vehicle again. The driver again began to drive, in reverse, away from Officer Yoder.

Seeing an opportunity to protect countless individuals driving and walking in the area, Officer Yoder was quickly able to disable the fleeing vehicle and contain it safely. The driver began to exit the vehicle, with a stolen handgun in his hand, as Officer Yoder approached. Fortunately for all, the driver dropped the handgun while trying to get out of the car. Officer Yoder quickly seized the handgun and the driver was placed under arrest with the assistance of responding officers. A later search of the car yielded a second stolen handgun.

Through a thorough investigation and with the help of numerous other members of the Lancaster City Police, the two fleeing passengers were quickly identified. Evidence linking both of these individuals with possessing the seized handguns was also located by Officer Yoder. All three occupants were charged with various firearms and stolen property offenses. The driver was also charged with a number of assault, drug, and fleeing offenses as well.

Great work by Officer Yoder in finding and apprehending these dangerous people! Our city is that much safer with your actions!