Harrowing pursuit ends in Hancock Co. arrest

BUCYRUS — A multi-agency vehicle pursuit of an Upper Sandusky man ended in the man's arrest in Hancock County early Saturday morning. About 1:12 a.m. state troopers from Bucyrus responded for a welfare check that stemmed from a domestic dispute, a release from OSP states. Tyler Rowalt, 27, allegedly took his wife's vehicle and drove off, and was reported to be "impaired, emotionally distraught and in possession of a firearm" while driving at speeds up to 120 mph, the release states. His location was unknown. Bucyrus troopers located Rowalt about 1:15 a.m. near Johnson and Summit streets in Upper Sandusky and attempted a traffic stop. Rowalt failed to stop and a pursuit ensued, during which he nearly struck a pursuing officer and drove in opposite lanes multiple times. The pursuit ended when Rowalt crashed into the guardrail on SR 15 near milepost 18 in Hancock County. He refused to leave the vehicle after being commanded to do so, and poured gasoline on himself and attempted to light it, the release states. Eventually, Rowalt complied and exited the vehicle and was arrested without further incident. No firearms were located in the vehicle. He was treated on scene by Hanco EMS for minor injuries before being taken to Wyandot Memorial Hospital for medical clearance. After being cleared, he was incarcerated in the Wyandot County jail. Assisting in the pursuit and at the scene were Wyandot and Hancock County sheriff's office personnel.