The 86-Mile Police Chase

On April 17, 1966, Portage County deputies Dale Spaur and Wilbur Neff pursued a luminous UFO across Ohio and into Pennsylvania. The 86-mile chase involved multiple police departments and ended with an official explanation that satisfied no one.

The Deputies

Initial witnesses:

• Dale Spaur
• Wilbur Neff
• Portage County Sheriff’s Office
• On routine patrol
• April 17, 1966

The Start

Early morning:

• 5:00 AM
• Investigating abandoned car
• Object rose from ground
• Massive and bright
• Pursuit began

The Object

What they chased:

• 40-50 feet diameter
• Brilliant white
• Structured craft
• Humming sound
• Intelligently controlled

The Chase

86 miles:

• High speed pursuit
• Across Ohio
• Into Pennsylvania
• Multiple jurisdictions
• Eventually lost

Additional Officers

Joined pursuit:

• Wayne Huston (East Palestine)
• Frank Panzanella (Conway, PA)
• Confirming observations
• Multiple departments
• Corroboration

Radio Traffic

Documented:

• Real-time communications
• Dispatch recordings
• Excitement evident
• Multiple units
• Official record

The End

Object departed:

• Ascended rapidly
• Beyond pursuit
• Officers exhausted
• Fuel concerns
• Lost contact

Project Blue Book

Air Force investigation:

• Sent investigators
• Interviewed witnesses
• Conclusion: Venus
• Plus satellite
• Absurd

The Venus Explanation

Problems:

• Venus set before sighting
• Chased for 86 miles?
• Deputies not fooled
• Humiliation
• Credibility destroyed

J. Allen Hynek

Scientific advisor:

• Disagreed with Air Force
• Found witnesses credible
• Published criticism
• Began questioning
• Turning point

Aftermath for Spaur

Tragic consequences:

• Ridiculed
• Marriage ended
• Left police force
• Life collapsed
• Paid heavy price

Congressional Interest

Ohio congressman:

• William Stanton
• Called for investigation
• Criticized Blue Book
• Public support
• No results

Documentary Evidence

Records preserved:

• Radio recordings
• Official reports
• Newspaper accounts
• Witness statements
• Historical record

Significance

Police chase discredited by absurd official explanation, contributing to Blue Book’s eventual closure.

Legacy

The Portage County chase showed how official explanations could damage credibility more than the sightings themselves—trained observers dismissed as unable to identify Venus.