A high-speed chase involving a stolen semi truck ended with the arrest of Joseph Allen Horton in Butler County on January 11, 2025. The pursuit began early that morning when the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) initiated a chase after discovering the truck was stolen from Indiana.
As the suspect entered Middletown, local police joined the chase, and the Trenton Police Department later became involved. During the pursuit, Horton threw tools, including hammers, out of the window in an attempt to hinder the officers.
The chase continued into Preble County before returning to Butler County, where patrol units took over on State Route 127 southbound. Officers successfully deployed tire deflation devices, which slowed the truck down. The pursuit ended near the Third Street Extension in Hamilton, after 90 minutes, when the stolen semi truck ran off the road.
Horton, 37, who reportedly has no fixed address, was arrested without further incident. He now faces charges of Failure to Comply (a third-degree felony) and Receiving Stolen Property (a fourth-degree felony), with additional charges pending as the investigation progresses across multiple jurisdictions.
Sheriff Richard K. Jones commended the coordinated effort of all law enforcement agencies involved. “It’s a crazy world we’re living in. Our law enforcement, no matter what agency, never waivers in making our communities safe,” Sheriff Jones said.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further details will be released as authorities continue to process the case.