Ohio Trucker Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping Wife

Ohio Trucker Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping WifeOhio Mugshot

Ohio State News by Betty Smith

Patrick Berthelot, 40, is currently charged with kidnapping and could face more charges as the investigation continues, police say.

This week, an Ohio semi-truck driver who led police on an hours-long chase around Interstate 275 pleaded guilty.

Ohio Trucker Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping WifeOhio State Highway Patrol

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In July of 2020, the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a report that Patrick Berthelot was driving erratically in a semi-truck.

Berthelot continued to drive despite attempts to stop him. The chase involved several law enforcement agencies.

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During the course of the chase, Bernardelot's wife was in the truck with him. It has been alleged that she was held against her will and that she was physically assaulted during the pursuit.

Stop sticks were put out to disable his semi. Berthelot attempted to hit three officers with the truck. In addition, he also swerved and tried to hit an Ohio police sergeant.

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As a result of the stop sticks, one of the semi's tires was flattened. However, Berthelot continued to drive, even stopping at one point to disconnect the trailer from the semi.

Ultimately, SWAT used a .50 caliber rifle to shoot the engine block on the semi, causing an oil leak that forced the vehicle to stop.

Berthelot was initially arrested on charges of kidnapping. On Monday, he admitted to abduction, felonious assault, and failing to comply with a police officer.