Miamisburg bridge closed ‘until further notice’ after SWAT call; Suspect charged

The driver of a stolen Chevrolet Silverado wanted for an incident in Butler Twp. was involved in a police pursuit Friday afternoon that started on southbound Interstate 75 in Franklin and traveled through Middletown and Monroe before changing direction and heading into Montgomery County.

“The pursuit came to an end on West Linden Avenue near North Riverview Avenue in Miamisburg when the suspect drove into the side of a southbound train. The impact pushed the truck off the south side of the roadway, where a standoff and negotiations lasted for several hours,” the Ohio State Highway Patrol stated Saturday in a media release.

The railroad crossing arm, flashing lights and other items at the CSX crossing were damaged during the crash. As a result, the city has closed a portion of Linden Avenue, including the bridge “until further notice.” CSX will make the repairs, but city spokesman Ken Jarosik said it’s not clear when they will be done.

Credit: Jim Noelker

Credit: Jim Noelker

The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Johnathon Edward Brown of Trenton, is held on $250,000 bail in the Warren County Jail. He was arraigned Monday in Franklin Municipal Court on felony charges of fleeing, receiving stolen property and obstructing official business. Charges also are pending in Montgomery County, Butler Twp. police said Monday.

Credit: Warren County Jail

Credit: Warren County Jail

Butler Twp. police received a tip early Friday that Brown possibly was at a hotel in the township. Officers found a pickup truck he was believed to be driving at the Quality Inn at 7124 Miller Lane, Butler Twp. Police Chief John Porter stated in a release.

Crews from Butler County conducted surveillance on the vehicle, a Chevrolet Silverado, and at approximately 10 a.m. he came out of the hotel. However, when crews attempted to stop him for questioning he fled in the pickup, which was reported stolen to the Hamilton Police Department, Porter said.

He was wanted in connection to a Middletown Division of Police investigation. This newspaper is not reporting the allegations against Brown because he has not been formally charged.

About two hours later is when Franklin police spotted the pickup and tried to stop Brown, resulting in the multi-county chase and subsequent crash and standoff in Miamisburg.