WEST JEFFERSON – The Ohio State Highway Patrol apprehended Travis S. McNeal on U.S. Highway 42 and Lucas Road in Madison County at approximately 9:20 p.m. tonight.

A state trooper patrolling northbound on U.S. Highway 42 observed McNeal riding a bicycle across U.S. Highway 42 on Lucas Road. The trooper proceeded to spotlight the bicycle. At that time, McNeal stopped, got off the bicycle, and was taken into custody without incident or injury.

McNeal is being transported to the Madison County Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, and will later be held at the Madison County Jail on felony fleeing and eluding, and receiving stolen property charges. He will be charged through the Madison County Court.

McNeal, 26, of Elkton, Md., is also wanted on a felony warrant by the Maryland State Police from a bank robbery in North East, Md., on September 21, 2006.

At approximately 12:55 p.m. Tuesday, state troopers were attempting to stop a 1993 Honda Civic being driven by McNeal for suspected drug violations on U.S. Route 42, south of Middlepike. The vehicle fled from state troopers northbound on U.S. 42. After fleeing approximately five minutes, McNeal lost control of the vehicle he was driving and crashed into an Ohio State Highway Patrol cruiser.

While two passengers in the Honda were being taken into custody, McNeal fled on foot into an adjacent cornfield. Through the investigation, state troopers believed the man who fled on foot was McNeal. He was identified by the other suspects who were taken into custody.

During the crash investigation, the vehicle McNeal was driving was later determined to be stolen. The trooper involved in the crash was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Both passengers were transported to Grant Hospital also with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Patrol’s investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are possible.

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