An Alliance police sergeant is facing criminal charges after authorities say he was involved in a crash and subsequent foot pursuit in Mahoning County earlier this month.
Sgt. Ethan Griffith, a member of the Alliance Police Department since 2022, was arrested June 7 by the Austintown Police Department. He faces charges of operating a vehicle while impaired, obstruction of official business, failure to control a vehicle and having weapons while intoxicated. The weapons charge is a felony.
According to an Austintown police report, officers were dispatched at approximately 1:44 a.m. June 7 to the intersection of Kirk Road and state Route 46 for a crash involving a blue Chevrolet Silverado. Responding officers found the pickup had struck a utility pole and was unoccupied.
Witnesses told police they observed a man leave the scene on foot. Officers searched the area and later spotted a man at a nearby gas station. Police said the individual ran from officers, leading them on a foot pursuit through a wooded area near Kirk Road.
Authorities said the man, later identified as Griffith, contacted dispatch at approximately 1:57 a.m. and surrendered to officers. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Investigators reported finding a loaded Glock 19 handgun and an unloaded Springfield Hellcat 9mm pistol inside the vehicle.
Griffith, who resides in Canfield and is the son of former Alliance Police Chief Scott Griffith, was hired by the Alliance Police Department on May 31, 2022.
Alliance Police Chief Akenra X said Griffith was on a scheduled vacation through June 13. The chief indicated the officer could be placed on administrative leave upon his return while the investigation and court proceedings continue.
In a statement released June 9, city officials confirmed Griffith’s arrest and noted that he was off duty at the time of the incident.
Court records show Griffith was arraigned June 8 in Mahoning County Court. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 29.
