UPDATE: Joshua Houston has been arrested and is in the Tuscarawas County Jail.
The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office continues to search for a suspect accused of taking law enforcement on a chase in a stolen vehicle before ditching it Tuesday night.
According to Sheriff Orvis Campbell, they have identified the suspect as Joshua Edward Houston, 44, with a last known address of Canton. Houston is a life-long criminal, including drugs, robbery, burglary, thefts, etc.
It’s alleged that Houston, behind the wheel of a stolen black VolksWagon Beetle, initiated the pursuit in Uhrichsville before additional units joined in the chase. The pursuit resulted in him abandoning the stolen vehicle along an access road near Interstate 77 in the vicinity of Steele Hill Rd, New Philadelphia.
The vehicle was stolen on Oct. 12 from a gas station near Raff and Southway in Canton Township, according to Stark County Sheriff’s Office Major CJ Stantz.
Sheriff Campbell said Houston should be considered dangerous, especially if he feels cornered. If seen, law enforcement says to call 911 immediately
He’s known to flee often and is currently attempting to avoid prison, according to Sheriff Campbell. He’s also wanted by the US Marshal’s Office.
“It is normal for him to steal cars and flee acting in pure desperation and without concern for the safety of others around him or on the roadway,” Sheriff Campbell noted.