Man pulled from tree after running from police

LORAIN — A suspect facing a deluge of charges in Lorain County was pulled from a tree after about four hours Tuesday. Fred Golson Jr., 20, was walking to a car when he was spotted by Lorain police. Elyria police Capt. Bill Pelko said officers knew Golson was wanted by both Elyria and North Ridgeville police. A foot chase ensued until Golson climbed a tree. Elyria and Lorain police tried coaxing him down, but Pelko said Golson refused. From about 11:15 a.m. until 3:15 p.m., Golson remained in the tree with police surrounding him. Chainsaws were used to clear away the lower branches. When Golson still wouldn't come down, a couple of officers were sent up a ladder to pull him out. Around 3:20 p.m., Golson was led from a backyard on the 900 block of West 23rd Street in Lorain to a waiting Elyria police cruiser. Pelko said Golson now will be facing additional charges involving obstruction and resisting arrest on top of the multitude of charges already pending against him. He was arrested in April with three others after a report of shots fired near Blue Sky Restaurant in Elyria. He and the others headed to North Ridgeville, where police tried to pull them over. A short chase followed before the car crashed near Mills Road. In that case, Golson was charged with having weapons under a disability, improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation and felonious assault. He also has separate charges through North Ridgeville police involving resisting arrest and obstructing official business. Those charges are moving through Elyria Municipal Court. According to court records, Golson failed to appear after posting bond and warrants through both Elyria and North Ridgeville were issued in May. On June 15, Elyria police attempted to pull over Golson for failing to yield. Another police chase led through Gateway Boulevard, Murray Ridge Road and Broadway and eventually was called off in Lorain. The car Golson was driving was found abandoned at 21st Street and Hamilton. In that incident, he is facing misdemeanor charges of driving under a suspension and reckless operation. He's also facing felony charges of failure to comply with an order or signal and obstructing official business. Those charges still are making their way through the Elyria Municipal Court. Golson also is facing charges of failing to stop after a collision, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license and failure to control from a crash in March. His next hearing in that incident is scheduled in July. He also was charged early in April with criminal mischief and assault. Other charges in April include operating a motor vehicle without a license, use of unauthorized plates and marked lanes. He picked up a charge in February this year through North Ridgeville for driving without a valid license. Golson pleaded guilty in April. For the call to the tree, Lorain police, Elyria police, Lorain Fire Department and LifeCare all responded to the scene. Laina Yost contributed to the reporting on this story.