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Portage County UAP Chase
On April 17, 1966, police officers Dale Spaur and Wilbur Neff chased a brilliant UAP for 86 miles across Ohio into Pennsylvania. The half-hour pursuit involved multiple police departments and officers. Project Blue Book's dismissal as 'Venus' destroyed Officer Spaur's life and career.
1966
Portage County, Ohio, USA
10+ witnesses
Police chased a UAP for 86 miles, then were ridiculed.
The Night
April 17, 1966:
- 5:00 AM
- Portage County, Ohio
- Officers on patrol
- Investigated report
- Found object
The Officers
Who was involved:
- Deputy Dale Spaur
- Deputy Wilbur Neff
- Officer Wayne Huston
- Officer Frank Panzanella
- Multiple departments
The Object
What they saw:
- Brilliant light
- 40-50 feet diameter
- Humming sound
- Low altitude
- Intelligently controlled
The Chase
What happened:
- 86-mile pursuit
- Across two states
- Multiple officers
- Radio documented
- Half hour duration
The Pennsylvania Stop
How it ended:
- Conway, Pennsylvania
- Officer Panzanella waiting
- All saw object
- Aircraft arrived
- Object departed up
Project Blue Book
The verdict:
- Satellite and Venus
- Officers humiliated
- Media mocked them
- Explanation absurd
- Case “explained”
The Aftermath
What it cost:
- Spaur’s marriage ended
- Career destroyed
- Moved away
- Never recovered
- Blue Book discredited