Fremont man faces multiple charges in car chase

FREMONT – A Fremont man is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, eluding police and operating a vehicle while intoxicated after he allegedly drove away in a friend’s car and led police on a high-speed chase.

Troy Bilbrey, 43, and the car’s owner, Heather Janiskee, 41, of Bay City, Michigan, were watching a movie at a Washington Street home in Clyde Monday night when Janiskee said she was awakened by the jingle of car keys.

Clyde officer Mark Roach said in a police report that Janiskee tried to stop Bilbrey and chased him as he ran out the door.

“She stated that Bilbrey had been drinking most of the day, was intoxicated, and should not be driving. She told him not to take her car,” the report said.

Bilbrey got into Janiskee’s 2000 Buick LeSabre and headed west on McPherson Highway around 11:40 p.m., driving toward Fremont, police said.

Fremont police spotted the Buick, which had been reported stolen, and began pursuing the car when it entered the city, the report said.

Along with Clyde and Fremont police, the Sandusky Sheriff’s Office assisted as Bilbrey turned east and headed back toward Clyde with police in pursuit.

The report Bilbrey was eastbound on Sandusky County Road 213 near C.R. 236, when officers attempted to deploy spike strips but could not get them placed in time because of the high rate of speed the car was traveling. The report did not say how high the speeds were during the chase.

The car re-entered the City of Clyde, where Bilbrey continued to elude police by driving in circles through several roads before stopping the vehicle and running from the car.

Bilbrey was arrested as Roach approached the parking lof of The Pizza House, 120 W. McPherson Hwy., where Bilbrey had stopped the car, according to the report.

Roach reported that smoke and flames were coming from under the hood and that officers put out the fire.

Bilbrey previously has been cities for speed violation in the past, once in 2002 for driving 52 in a 35 mph zone and in 2001 for driving 51 in 35 mph zone. In 2003, Bilbrey was found guilty of driving without a license.

cshoup@gannett.com

419-334-1035

Twitter: CraigShoupNH