Suspect caught in shooting of state trooper in Hancock County

The suspect who reportedly shot a state trooper Wednesday night was captured today at approximately 1:30 p.m., on County Road 223 in Findlay.

After a sighting of the suspect, a law enforcement search team converged on the location above and captured the suspect, who was positively identified as Robert Tramaine Hathorn, 42.

His vehicle was recovered behind a business on County Road 140 near Township Road 89 in Hancock County.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has issued a “thank you” to citizens for tips received during the search, as well as the United States Marshals Service, United States Secret Service, Findlay Police Department, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Toledo Police Department, Fostoria Police Department, Wood County Sheriff’s Office, United States Border Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their help in the search.

On Wednesday, at approximately 11:05 p.m., a trooper conducted a traffic stop on a 2016 Chevrolet Black Suburban, with Michigan registration, after a speed violation on Interstate 75 near mile post 160 in Hancock County. During the traffic stop, with the driver identified as Robert Tramaine Hathorn, a struggle ensued involving the trooper’s service weapon that resulted in the trooper sustaining a gunshot wound. Hathorn then fled the scene.

Trooper Josef M. Brobst of the Findlay Post has serious, yet non-life threatening injuries.