LIMA, Ohio — A Lima man is in custody following a police pursuit that began in Allen County and ended in Auglaize County.
Johnathon Herder, 46, has been booked into the Allen County Jail on a charge of failure to comply with a police officer. According to the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, the chase began shortly after 1 a.m., when a deputy attempted to stop Herder on North Baxter Street in Lima for a traffic violation, but he fled. During the chase near the intersection of Metcalf Street and Robb Avenue, Herder allegedly attempted to hit a deputy who was deploying stop sticks but missed him.
The chase continued through the countryside. Troopers joined the pursuit and successfully deployed stop sticks along North Defiance Trail. After hitting the stop signs, Herder continued into Auglaize County and eventually came to a stop in the 14000 block of Moulton-New Knoxville Road, where he was apprehended after resisting arrest. Deputies later discovered that Herder had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The incident is still under investigation.
On September 24, 2025, at about 1:10 a.m., an Allen County Sheriff’s Office deputy conducted a routine traffic stop on North Baxter Street in Lima, Ohio. The driver refused to comply and began fleeing. A vehicle pursuit ensued throughout Lima, with the driver repeatedly ignoring police commands to stop.
Near the intersection of Metcalf and Robb, the driver intentionally swerved and accelerated toward a deputy wielding stop sticks. The driver was unsuccessful in striking the deputy.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol once again deployed stop sticks along North Defiance Trail. The driver ran over the stop sticks but did not stop, instead continuing into Auglaize County, where the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit.
The vehicle came to a halt in Auglaize County’s 14000 block of Moulton-New Knoxville Road around 1:50 a.m. after hitting another set of stop sticks. The suspect remained noncompliant for a short period of time before being taken into custody without incident.
The driver was identified as Johnathon Herder (DOB 12/04/1978) from Lima. He has been booked into the Allen County Jail on a charge of failing to comply with a police officer’s order. It was also discovered that Mr. Herder had an arrest warrant.
This incident is still under investigation.
