North Canton Police Arrest Man After Car Pursuit, Foot Chase

North Canton police arrested a Canton man early Saturday morning after a short vehicle pursuit and foot chase.

Police stopped a weaving 2007 GMC Yukon, driven by Derrick Lee Johnson, 35, on Easthill Street SE about 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Johnson reportedly sped off while the officer waited outside the Yukon for his driver’s license and registration, according to a news release from the North Canton Police Department.

Police give this account of what happened after: Officers pursued Johnson east on Easthilll Street. Johnson couldn’t make a right turn onto Market Avenue from 55th Street and drove into the yard of 5446 Market Ave. N. He knocked down trees and shrubs as he continued to drive south through five yards along Market Avenue.

Johnson drove across Buena Vista Street and tried to drive back into the yard of 5324 Market Ave. and got the Yukon stuck. He got out of the SUV and ran.

Police caught up to him and arrested him within minutes and took him to the Stark County Jail.

Johnson faces charges of failure to comply, a third-degree felony; OVI (refusal), a first-degree misdemeanor; driving under suspension, a first-degree misdemeanor; and reckless operation, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

Stark County Jail officials said this morning Johnson is not in the jail. He made bond, which was $25,000.

He is scheduled for arraignment at 9 a.m. Monday in Canton Municipal Court, according to online court documents.