Middletown man accused of fleeing in stolen car found hiding in culvert, Franklin police say

A 34-year-old Middletown man involved in a short pursuit in a stolen car was found hiding in a culvert after he ran from the vehicle, Franklin police say.

Johnny Marchesani was driving a car around 9:30 p.m. Saturday on Riley Boulevard when a Franklin officer checked the registration and found it was reported stolen. The officer tried to pull over the vehicle, when the driver fled to North Main Street and North Dixie Highway before it was forced to stop due to mechanical issues, police said.

Credit: FRANKLIN POLICE DIVISION

Credit: FRANKLIN POLICE DIVISION

That’s when police say Marchesani ran into a nearby field.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Carlisle Police Department, Miami Twp. Police Department, Miamisburg Police Department, Middletown Division of Police and Franklin Division of Fire responded to the scene to search. Four K-9 teams searched for Marchesani on the Great Miami River Bike Trail, according to police.

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A passerby reported seeing Marchesani around 11:30 p.m. in the wood line near the 1000 block of North Main Street. Police found him hiding in a culvert.

Marchesani was charged with fleeing and eluding, receiving stolen property and obstructing official business, in addition to multiple traffic misdemeanors.

He is being held in the Warren County Jail on a $55,000 bond and is due in court Tuesday afternoon for his arraignment in Franklin Municipal Court.

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