Man faces felony charges after lengthy foot pursuit

The Cleveland man who led Lorain police on a lengthy foot pursuit May 13 is facing three felony charges.

Wilfredo Lajara-Ruiz, 28, was charged with escape, a third-degree felony, receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony, obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony, and resisting arrest, a first-degree misdemeanor, according to a Lorain police report.

At 11:40 a.m., officers noticed a 2007 Ford E-250 near Lakeview Drive and West Erie Avenue that was stolen out of Lakewood.

Lajara-Ruiz parked the Ford in the 900 block of

Lakeview Drive and ran from police by jumping over several fences in the area, the report said.

A stun gun was deployed but missed as Lajara-Ruiz continued running from officers until he was tackled and arrested in the 1000 block of Archwood Avenue.

Lajara-Ruiz was handcuffed and taken back to where he parked the stolen car, the report said.

He was placed in the back of a police cruiser as an officer was trying to get his personal information.

While in the cruiser, Lajara-Ruiz asked for water and an officer could see that he was sweating after being in the foot chase and was afraid he would hyperventilate.

The officer opened a back window.

Lajara-Ruiz then escaped out the window and ran, the report said.

Officers found him hiding under a deck in the 900 block of Archwood.

He ignored officers’ orders to come out from under the deck, the report said.

Officers attempted to use a stun gun but it had no effect.

Ultimately, they dragged him out from under the deck and took him to Lorain County Jail where he will remain pending an appearance in Lorain Municipal Court

Lajara-Ruiz