ATHENS COUNTY — A high speed chase in Athens County resulted in the arrest of a man wanted in connection with last week’s meth lab discovery in Meigs County.

Athens County Deputies arrested Travis J. Older, 28, on Friday following a vehicle chase and crash.

Older was wanted in Meigs County in connection with a meth lab discovery in the Pageville area on Wednesday evening.

According to a press release from Athens County Sheriff Patrick Kelly, deputies received a tip on Friday afternoon that Older was driving a silver and red Ford Ranger with scrap metal en route to McKee’s Salvage Yard. Deputies located the vehicle on the scales at the salvage yard. Older fled as deputies approached.

Deputy Ryan Gillette’s report stated that Older reached speeds of 60-70 miles per hour on Grass Run Road after running a stop sign. Older allegedly ran a second stop sign, turning onto State Route 56 where he reached speeds of 80 miles per hour. The chase continued onto Old State Route 56 and Biddyville Road, with speeds reportedly averaging 60-70 miles per hour.

Gillette reported that Older’s vehicle launched into the air over all lanes of traffic on State Route 356, before crashing into a bank in Mineral. The pursuit was 5.3 miles.

Older ran into the woods on foot with Gillette in pursuit. During a pat down search, a syringe was located in the front pocket of Older’s coveralls.

The release goes on to say that while being transported to Southeast Ohio Regional Jail, Older informed Deputy Keith Tablor of the possibility of a mobile methamphetamine lab in the wrecked vehicle.

It was determined that there was an active, partial meth lab in the vehicle — including materials used in the process of manufacturing meth.

Bureau of Criminal Investigation Agent John Jenkins and the Richland Area Fire Department assisted in the decontamination of hazardous materials.

Older — who has a felony warrant in Meigs County — was charged with felony fleeing and eluding, production of methamphetamine and possession of chemicals to make methamphetamine according to the press release.

A warrant for the arrest of Older was issued in Meigs County in connection with a meth lab found on Pageville Road on Wednesday evening. Older has been charged with illegal possession of a chemical in Meigs County.

Older is currently being held in Southeast Ohio Regional Jail.

Denise Cotterill, 30, was arrested at the scene of Wednesday’s meth lab discovery and charged in Meigs County Court on Thursday with illegal possession of a chemical.