Police pursue man in chase

By Evan Bevins, Special to The News
MARIETTA — A man pursued by Washington County sheriff’s deputies on land and in the air Tuesday was arrested that evening in West Virginia—the state where he was wanted in the first place.

Sheriff Larry Mincks said the Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force notified his department Tuesday that William J. Toncray, 39, of 908 Main St., Apt. D, Belpre, was wanted for a parole violation. Deputies searching for Toncray near his residence attempted to apprehend him around 2:15 p.m. Tuesday.

“He fled, and there was a high-speed chase up (Ohio) Route 7,” Mincks said.

The vehicle turned off Ohio 7 and got away from the pursuing deputies, the sheriff said. Deputies continued to search the area as calls came in about a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and in a reckless manner.

“He was traveling at speeds in excess of 85 mph,” Mincks said.

Deputies continued to search for him in the department’s helicopter.

About 10 deputies were involved in the search, Mincks said.

Toncray’s vehicle was eventually located in a Little Hocking parking lot, where he apparently had parked and walked to a BP station, Mincks said. There, a relative picked him up and took him to the Dew Drop Inn at 16th and Ramsey streets in Parkersburg, the sheriff said.

Deputies located the relative who picked Toncray up and learned the suspect was at the tavern, where Parkersburg task force agents apprehended him around 5:15 p.m., Mincks said.

Although Toncray is in custody in West Virginia, Mincks said extradition back to the Buckeye State will be sought.

“We are filing charges on him for felony fleeing and eluding,” Mincks said.

The relative who allegedly picked Toncray up in Little Hocking may also be charged, the sheriff said. That individual’s name was not available Tuesday evening.