Police identify carjacking suspect arrested after firing at officers during chase across Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Cleveland Police have identified the suspect in back-to-back carjackings who is accused of shooting at Cleveland police officers and Cuyahoga County sheriff’s deputies Tuesday night in the city’s Shaker Square neighborhood.

In a release Friday, police identified the man as 38-year-old Rueben Bell.

Bell is charged with three counts of felonious assault on a peace officer, and more charges are expected.

The charges stem from a chase through the city and an exchange of gunfire with police.

Cleveland police said two officers and two deputies returned fire. As of Wednesday, Bell was in critical condition in a local hospital.

According to police, no officers or deputies were hurt, though one officer was checked out for possible blood exposure.

Cleveland police said officers launched an investigation around 8:55 p.m. Tuesday after someone called to report a carjacking at gunpoint on West 150th Street.

Then, 25 minutes later, officers said Bell carjacked another victim on Quimby Avenue.

“A vehicle was taken at gunpoint. A short time later a second attempted or carjacking occurred,” said Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd. “He did car jack several people and just kept dropping the vehicle, carjacking, and continuing on.”

Soon after that, police spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop.

But according to police, Bell failed to stop and a chase broke out, leading officers through several neighborhoods and into Shaker Heights.

Cleveland police allege the suspect fired multiple shots at officers during that time.

“We have verified information that the suspect did shoot at the officers on East 78th and again at Buckeye,” said Todd.

At some point, police said Cuyahoga County deputies got involved to stop the suspect, deploying stop sticks and ultimately a PIT maneuver.

“At this time our officers knew we had a mobile active shooter and this was our priority to make sure we took this dangerous person off the street,” said Todd.

When the car became disabled in the area of South Moreland Boulevard and Ashwood Road, officers said the suspect unleashed gunfire on nearby law enforcement, who returned fire.

According to police, Bell was taken into custody around 10:30 p.m.

“At that time the officers did immediately render aid to the victim and tourniquets were applied and suspect was conveyed to University Hospital,” said Todd.

The officers and deputies involved in the shooting are on administrative leave, per policy.

The Cleveland Division of Police Force Investigation Team is handling the investigation.

This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.