Citizens requested to report bullet damage in New London area

The Huron County Sheriff’s Office is requesting citizens in the areas of New London Section Line Road and the surrounding area report any damage from bullets they discover on their property.

On Sept. 28, 2020, at about 10:30 p.m., the Huron County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received an E911 call from a resident in the 5000 block of New London Section Line Road. The caller reported witnessing a white SUV stop near his driveway. He saw and heard the report and muzzle flash of a gunshot from the vehicle. The called believed the gun was fired in the general direction of his home. The suspect vehicle then fled the area. While the caller was on 911 he reported hearing additional gunshots.

Deputies responded to the area to investigate. About 15 minutes after HSCO received the 911 call, a deputy located a white SUV at New London Section Line Road and Greenwich East Townline Road. The deputy followed the vehicle as it turned north on Greenwich East Townline Road. The SUV made multiple marked lanes violations immediately after turning.

The deputy activated his overhead lights and attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver did not comply and sped away, running the stop signs at Fayette and Prospect Roads causing the deputy to initiate a pursuit.

The suspect vehicle continued north on Greenwich East Townline Road at speeds greater than 100 mph. The pursuit continued west on Cook Road to Fitchville River Road to Derussey Road without stopping at posted stop signs along the way. When turning onto Derussey Road, the vehicle went through a yard, nearly striking a house. It continued north on Derussey Road. The pursuit continued north on Derussey across SR 18, without yielding to the stop sign at the intersection. North of SR 18 the suspect drove into a field and crashed into a creek bed where the vehicle became disabled.

The deputy held the driver at gunpoint until backup arrived to assist. Deputies assisted the driver out of the creek area and took him into custody.

The driver was identified as Brian D. Schultz, 43 of Medina. Schultz reported injuries from the crash and was transported from the scene by ambulance. Deputies made observations indicating Schultz was under the influence of alcohol and impaired.

Deputies found three handguns and ammunition in Schultz’s vehicle.

Huron County Sheriff’s Detectives responded to the original caller’s home. They located shell casings in the immediate area where the caller reported seeing gunshots. During a canvas of the area deputies located fresh bullet holes in several signs and shell casings in the road nearby. The casings found were consistent with the caliber of weapons found inside of Schultz’s vehicle. The weapons and casings will be submitted to Ohio BCI&I for forensic ballistic comparison.

Schultz was booked into the Huron County Jail on nine weapons-related felonies. Additional charges are possible and the investigation is ongoing.