COLUMBUS, Ohio — Two Columbus police officers were injured after arresting two suspects involved in a reported armed robbery in the Hilltop neighborhood on Tuesday.
Officers with the Columbus Division of Police were flagged down in the area of Sullivant and Ogden avenues in southwest Columbus by someone who said he was robbed at gunpoint. The victim provided police with a description of the suspects and the vehicle they were in.
Officers later found the suspect vehicle at East Livingston Avenue and Alum Creek Drive in southeast Columbus and attempted to stop it. Police said the suspects inside the vehicle ignored commands and signals to stop.
The suspect vehicle lost control and crashed into a building in the 1100 block of Alum Creek Drive. The suspects ran away from the scene before being apprehended. Police said one of the suspects had a handgun.
One of the responding officers crashed their cruiser into the same building on Alum Creek Drive. According to police, one of the officers’ firearms was discharged during the incident. Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 President Brian Steel said the airbag deployed which caused the officer's weapon to accidentally go off. Because no one was struck, the Ohio BCI will not investigate.
A firearm was recovered at the scene.
The suspects, identified as 21-year-old Ondea Sullivan and 21-year-old Jolan Rutherford, were treated by medics at the scene. They are facing felony charges.
Two officers were taken to a hospital for injuries they sustained during the arrests. They were later released.
The homicide unit is investigating the incident.
📺 10TV+ is available for free on Roku & Amazon Fire TV: Stay up to date on what's happening in your community with a 24/7 live stream and on demand content from 10TV — available on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.