Drug were found after two men lead police in a chase late Tuesday.
On Tuesday evening, around 10:50pm, Pottsville Police officers Jonathan Randolph and Joel Methven were conducting mobile when they witnessed a Ford pickup truck traveling south on Claude A Lord Blvd (Route 61).
On Tuesday evening, around 10:50pm, Pottsville Police officers Jonathan Randolph and Joel Methven were conducting mobile when they witnessed a Ford pickup truck traveling south on Claude A Lord Blvd (Route 61).
At the intersection of Route 61 & Mauch Chunk Street the officers observed driving light violations on the truck.
When the officers activated their sirens and lights the vehicle accelerated and attempted to elude police.
The driver, later identified as Dustin Parsons, 31, of Schuylkill Haven, proceeded to travel south on Route 61, traveling through several steady red traffic signals along the way, and also turned off all of the lighting on his truck for the intended purpose of avoiding identification and arrest.
Parsons continued south on Route 61 at approximately 75 mph in adverse weather conditions as police trailed at a safe speed and maintained visual contact with Parson’s vehicle while alerting additional police agencies of the on-going incident.
Parsons eventually drove his vehicle off the roadway just south of Port Clinton onto a dirt lot and both he and his passenger, Tomasso Dino, 18, of Pottsvill) exited the truck and fled into the woods as the truck continued to roll forward until striking a tree and coming to a stop. With the assistance of police from the Pa State Police, Schuylkill Haven Police, Palo Alto Police, and Penn State University Schuylkill Police, both men were quickly located and taken into custody.
Subsequent investigation led police to recover Methamphetamine and Heroin from inside the vehicle, along with drug paraphernalia.
Officers learned that the West Virginia registration displayed on the pickup was not assigned to that vehicle and the Ford truck did not have a valid license or current insurance. The truck was impounded and towed from the scene.
The initial investigation also revealed that Parsons had been operating the vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant. He was transported to a local medical facility for Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) and toxicology testing and a criminal complaint was prepared by Randolph charging him with Felony Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police, Driving Under the Influence, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Persistent Disorderly Conduct, Driving Without Lights to Avoid Identification or Arrest, Driving at Safe Speed, Traffic Control Signals, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, General Lighting Requirements, Unauthorized Transfer or Use of Registration, Periods for Requiring Lighted Lamps, Required Financial Responsibility and Registration and Certificate of Title Required.
Parsons eventually drove his vehicle off the roadway just south of Port Clinton onto a dirt lot and both he and his passenger, Tomasso Dino, 18, of Pottsvill) exited the truck and fled into the woods as the truck continued to roll forward until striking a tree and coming to a stop. With the assistance of police from the Pa State Police, Schuylkill Haven Police, Palo Alto Police, and Penn State University Schuylkill Police, both men were quickly located and taken into custody.
Subsequent investigation led police to recover Methamphetamine and Heroin from inside the vehicle, along with drug paraphernalia.
Officers learned that the West Virginia registration displayed on the pickup was not assigned to that vehicle and the Ford truck did not have a valid license or current insurance. The truck was impounded and towed from the scene.
The initial investigation also revealed that Parsons had been operating the vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant. He was transported to a local medical facility for Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) and toxicology testing and a criminal complaint was prepared by Randolph charging him with Felony Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police, Driving Under the Influence, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Persistent Disorderly Conduct, Driving Without Lights to Avoid Identification or Arrest, Driving at Safe Speed, Traffic Control Signals, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, General Lighting Requirements, Unauthorized Transfer or Use of Registration, Periods for Requiring Lighted Lamps, Required Financial Responsibility and Registration and Certificate of Title Required.
He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Rossi and remanded to the Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $30,000 bail.
Police are still investigating.
Police are still investigating.