Firefighter Leads Police in Pursuit

[Remember585 815]

I came across this while reading of the Wellington incident.

Police: Firefighter Rear-Ends Cars, Leads Police On Chase

Akron Firefighter Charged With Assault

POSTED: 5:30 pm EDT June 27, 2006

UPDATED: 6:52 pm EDT June 27, 2006

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio -- An Akron firefighter is in some hot water for allegedly rear-ending two vehicles on the interstate before leading police on a high-speed chase.

Brecksville police said that on June 18, Lt. Richard Chiancone was involved in a verbal fight with his wife in Akron and then hopped in his pick-up truck and took off.

NewsChannel5 reported that Brecksville police dash cam showed Chiancone had about a mile and a half head start when two officers began their pursuit.

Police said Chiancone was heading north on Interstate 77 near Oaks Road when he rear-ended two vehicles, forcing them from the highway.

One of the victims, Gary Cervelli, said he was so upset that he started to chase Chiancone himself.

Chiancone was supposed to appear in court Tuesday, but didn't make it because he is being treated at an Akron mental facility.

Police believe that Chiancone intentionally rear-ended the vehicles after arguing with his wife.

Initially, Chiancone eluded police, but Cervelli's persistence paid off, and he had enough information to identify Chiancone's vehicle, NewsChannel5 reported.

Brecksville prosecutor Sergio DiGeronimo said that Chiancone turned himself in to Brecksville police later that evening, and he was arrested and charged with felonious assault.

Chiancone is still on the Akron Fire Department pending the outcome of the investigation. The fire chief told NewsChannel5 that Chiancone is a quality officer.

The case is now being sent to Cuyahoga County.

Copyright 2006 by NewsNet5. All rights reserved.

[EJS1810 7]

And the fact that he is a Firefighter means what? Would the headlines had the same reaction if he was a plumber? (no offence to all the fine plumbers out there)