The 86-Mile Chase

On April 17, 1966, Portage County deputies Dale Spaur and Wilbur Neff chased a UFO across Ohio into Pennsylvania. The 86-mile pursuit at speeds over 100 mph was joined by other officers and remains one of the best-documented police UFO cases.

The Deputies

Initial witnesses:

• Dale Spaur
• Wilbur Neff
• Portage County Sheriff
• On routine call
• Early morning

The Initial Sighting

What they saw:

• Large glowing object
• Rose from behind trees
• About 50 feet diameter
• Brilliant light
• Structural detail visible

The Chase Begins

Deputies’ response:

• Radioed dispatch
• Ordered to pursue
• High-speed chase
• Object stayed ahead
• Cross-county pursuit

The Object

Description:

• Acorn or ice cream cone shape
• Bright light underneath
• Dome on top
• Metallic appearance
• Soundless

The Pursuit

86-mile chase:

• Speeds to 105 mph
• Across Ohio
• Into Pennsylvania
• Other officers joined
• Dawn broke during chase

Other Officers

Joined pursuit:

• Wayne Huston (Ohio)
• Frank Panzanella (PA)
• Multiple witnesses
• Radio communication
• Coordinated observation

The End

How it ended:

• Object rose straight up
• Into morning sky
• Near Conway, PA
• Officers watched
• Eventually lost sight

Air Force Response

Project Blue Book:

• Investigated
• Concluded: Venus
• Officers disagreed
• Explanation mocked
• Case closed officially

Impact on Spaur

Career destroyed:

• Harassment followed
• Lost job
• Marriage failed
• Health declined
• Paid heavy price

The Venus Explanation

Problems with official story:

• Venus doesn’t fly 105 mph
• Doesn’t rise from trees
• Multiple experienced officers
• Chased for 86 miles
• Absurd conclusion

Supporting Evidence

Documentation:

• Police radio logs
• Multiple departments
• Written reports
• Newspaper accounts
• Immediate documentation

Congressional Interest

J. Allen Hynek:

• Air Force consultant
• Investigated personally
• Found witnesses credible
• Questioned official conclusion
• Key case for him

Significance

Multi-officer pursuit across two states with extensive documentation and absurd official explanation.

Legacy

The Portage County chase exemplifies how credible police witnesses were dismissed by Project Blue Book—destroying careers while ignoring evidence.