By April Rodgers | FreeWire Your News Your Voice
BUCYRUS — A Crawford County grand jury has handed down a multi-count felony indictment against a 39-year-old man following an alleged vehicle theft and police pursuit on New Year’s Day.
Chaz E. Akers, 39, was indicted during the Jan. 6, 2026 session of the Crawford County Common Pleas Court. The charges stem from events alleged to have occurred on Jan. 1, 2026.
Akers is charged with failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony. Prosecutors allege Akers willfully fled from law enforcement after receiving a visible or audible signal to stop, with his actions creating a substantial risk of serious physical harm to people or property.
He is also charged with breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony. According to the indictment, Akers allegedly trespassed on the property of a victim with the intent to commit a felony. Court records further indicate the property involved was a motor vehicle.
Akers additionally faces a charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony. The indictment alleges he knowingly exerted control over a 2024 Dodge Ram pickup truck without consent.
A fourth count charges Akers with another count of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, also a third-degree felony. Prosecutors allege this offense occurred while Akers was fleeing immediately after the commission of a felony.
Akers was arraigned Jan. 8, 2026, in Crawford County Common Pleas Court before Judge Sean Leuthold. Judge Leuthold set bond at $200,000 cash or surety, and Madison Garverick was appointed as Akers’ defense attorney. Akers remains in the Crawford County Justice Center.
Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Further proceedings will be scheduled in Crawford County Common Pleas Court.
FreeWire will continue to follow this case as it progresses.
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