A driver who stopped to help someone with a disabled vehicle east of Plain City was beaten and his van stolen Sunday morning.
The incident led to a brief pursuit that concluded with the arrest of 39-year-old Chester Lorenzo Torrence of Columbus, according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
On Sunday morning, shortly before 8:30 a.m., the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center got a report of a potential disabled vehicle on State Route 161, east of Plain City. More calls came in about a probable carjacking involving the same vehicle.
Madison County deputies and the Ohio State Highway Patrol arrived to investigate and concluded the victim had stopped to offer help to the occupant of the stalled vehicle.
Torrence, the driver of the disabled vehicle, entered the victim’s van and attempted to take it.
The victim tried to retrieve the keys and set the car in park, but Torrence allegedly assaulted the victim and ran off in the van, according to the sheriff’s office.
Officers from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Union County Sheriff’s Office, and the Dublin Division of Police were able to locate the stolen van and attempted a traffic stop, resulting in a brief pursuit after Torrence refused to cooperate.
Torrence drove the van off the roadway and became stalled in a field, stopping the police pursuit.
He was apprehended on the spot and is anticipated to face charges of robbery and failure to comply with a police officer’s lawful order or signal in Madison County.
The event is still under investigation, and Torrence may have additional charges pending after the inquiry is complete.
He is being incarcerated at the Tri-County Regional Jail.
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