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Houston in jail after chase

BETHESDA — A Bethesda man is being held in the Belmont County Jail on multiple charges after allegedly leading law enforcement on a chase over the back roads of Goshen Township on Wednesday afternoon.

Belmont County sheriff’s Chief Deputy James Zusack reviewed the initial report on the case and said the pursuit began in Bethesda. Chad Houston, 43, a resident of the village, reportedly was observed driving through the community in his truck. Officers were aware of an active warrant for Houston’s arrest and attempted to stop him, Zusack said.

“Units were beginning to attempt to serve a no-bond warrant for unpaid child support,” he said. “The suspect refused to stop and led … a pursuit through the southern Goshen Township area. He was apprehended on Carleton Road just south of Belmont.”

Zusack said that following his arrest, Houston was lodged in the jail without bond on charges of failure to pay child support, based on the warrant; fleeing and eluding, a felony of the fourth degree; possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree; possession of drug abuse instruments, a misdemeanor of the second degree; driving under suspension, a misdemeanor of the first degree; and expired vehicle registration.

Zusack added that the drug charges were unexpected. He said the controlled substance and drug abuse instruments were found by officers after Houston was apprehended.

Zusack declined to comment further on the length of the chase or the top speeds reached by the vehicles involved. The pursuit was conducted by sheriff’s deputies with assistance from the Bethesda Police Department.

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