3 teens arrested after high-speed chase; 1 faces rape charge in Springfield robbery

One of three Columbus teenagers arrested Thursday morning after a high-speed chase in a stolen car is facing a rape charge from a recent home invasion in Springfield.

A man whose vehicle was reported stolen around 5 a.m. from the 2100 block of Troy Road in German Twp. called the Clark County Sheriff’s Office shortly after 8 a.m. to say he was following the vehicle as it was headed south on U.S. 68 towards Interstate 70, according to a release from the sheriff’s office.

The man told deputies the vehicle was unlocked and the keys had been left inside.

Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers and sheriff’s deputies intercepted the stolen vehicle on I-70 and state Route 41 and tried to make a traffic stop when the suspect vehicle fled east on I-70 at speeds reaching 100 mph, the release stated.

The stolen vehicle exited on east U.S. 40, The suspects pulled into the entrance of Beaver Valley, got out of the vehicle and ran. After a short foot chase, authorities took three teens into custody.

When checking items inside the stolen vehicle, several matched the description of items from a recent aggravated robbery -- a home invasion that included a sexual assault -- and the Springfield Police Division was contacted, the release stated.

A 14-year-old Columbus boy is facing felony charges of aggravated burglary, rape, theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing and carrying a concealed weapon.

A 16-year-old Columbus girl is facing felony aggravated burglary and theft of a motor vehicle charges, and a 15-year-old Columbus girl is facing a felony receiving stolen property charge, the release stated.

This news outlet is not naming the suspects because they currently are charged as juveniles.

They are being held in the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center.

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