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Driver pleads to leading police on chase

WARREN — A Youngstown man who led officers from three police departments on a chase that at times reached speeds as high as 90 mph pleaded guilty to failure to comply with an officer’s order to stop.

Dauntell Stanley, 30, 4020 Helena Ave., was arrested May 6, after crashing a lime green minivan that was reported stolen at the Liberty Plaza from Oak Street Health. The minivan had the company’s name written on its side.

Photograghs of the suspect were obtained when he entered the vehicle, when it was left unattended at the front door for less than a minute.

At 9:06 a.m., McDonald police spotted the vehicle driving through town at high speed. Police were able to track the vehicle using a live GPS map.

Cortland police Chief David Morris said one of his officers in an unmarked vehicle on state Route 46 saw the van, which at that time was not being pursued.

“The vehicle passed two vehicles and was driving extremely reckless,” Morris said. “He created a danger and needed to be stopped.”

The officer tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused and police cars joined the pursuit. Morris said the driver continued driving north on state Route 5 to East Main Street, but then turned onto the dead end Turnberry Place, where he drove off road and got stuck in the mud at 10:08 a.m.

The driver, Stanley, was arrested.

A written statement was obtained from a front desk clerk, who observed Stanley get into the vehicle and drive off. Police also were told Stanley often was seen sitting on the benches in the plaza watching the Oak Street vehicles as they arrive, according to the report.

Stanley will be sentenced after a presentencing investigation is completed.

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