08/27/2015 – 12:15 pm – Three youths have been arrested and one has died after in connection with the overnight break-in of Extreme Tec ATV on Lee Street in Mt. Gilead.

In a press release issued Thursday at 12:05 p.m., Morrow County Sheriff Steve Brenneman said shortly before 1:30 am Thursday, Mt. Gilead police officers spotted suspicious individuals along a railroad track near Westview Drive in the Village of Mt. Gilead. When officers approached the individuals, they ran. Officers pursued on foot and caught one of the individuals, a 16 year old male. During the foot pursuit, an ATV was found sitting on the tracks. A quick investigation revealed that a burglary had occurred at Extreme Tec ATV on Lee Street in Mt. Gilead.

According to the release, officers from the Mt. Gilead Police Department, Cardington Police Department, and the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area. Shortly before 3 am and while still searching for the suspects, officers heard what they believed was an ATV take off and head north from the area. Sheriff’s deputies headed north on Morrow County Road 9 and came upon a large ATV travelling northbound at a high rate of speed. Deputies activated their emergency lights and sirens and attempted to stop the vehicle. As they neared the intersection of CR 9 and SR 309, deputies began blowing an electronic horn along with the siren. They also backed off from the pursuit knowing the intersection was ahead. The ATV still did not stop. At the intersection the driver attempted to turn left on to SR 309. The ATV slid and overturned. It then struck a guardrail and rolled over the guard rail and into a yard.

Deputies immediately approached the ATV to determine the condition of the driver. They called for EMS, extricated the driver, and began CPR. EMS personnel arrived on the scene and transported the individual to Galion Community Hospital. The subject was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The driver has been identified as Devon Abbott, 17, whose last known address was Marengo. The ATV was identified as having been stolen from Extreme Tec ATV.

A total of 3 suspects, all juveniles, are in custody in regards to the break in. Investigation into the entire incident is being conducted by the Mt. Gilead Police Department, Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Reach Randa Wagner at 419-946-3010, ext. 1803 or on Twitter@MorrCoSentinel.