A shoplifter was struck Thursday evening by a Defiance police cruiser following an alleged incident on Deatrick Street.
According to the Ohio Highway Patrol's Defiance post, at 8:40 p.m., Curtis Lynthacum, 48, 1127 Jackson Ave., was fleeing from Defiance Police officers on foot after allegedly shoplifting at Chief Market Square, 705 Deatrick St. A cruiser, driven by Lt. Steven Gebhart, 54, Defiance, struck Lynthacum.
Lynthacum was taken by the Defiance Fire Department to Mercy Hospital of Defiance and from there he was transported to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo, where he was listed in "fair" condition this morning.
The Defiance Police Department reported that upon receiving the call from Chief, several officers arrived and took up vantage points outside the store and waited for Lynthacum to exit. As he exited, he fled on foot. Officers attempted to stop Lynthacum who ran through the parking lot out onto Deatrick Street into the path of the cruiser.
Officers reported that charges against Lynthacum are pending.
Lynthacum was also charged with disorderly conduct while intoxicated at 5:15 p.m. earlier Thursday evening. He was released to a responsible adult pending his court hearing.
No citations have been issued against Gebhart by troopers.