An ATV theft suspect is in custody after attempting to flee through the sewer system in Ashland late Monday.
According to Ashland Police, an investigation was underway into the theft of an ATV in the 1900 Block of Walnut Street in the borough that occurred on July 31st, 2019.
Police say after someone reported their red and white Polaris Trailboss missing, the victim reviewed security cam footage with police that showed Michael Fickinger, 25, of Ashland taking the ATV.
Police issued a warrant for Fickinger's arrest on felony charges of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property.
According to Chief Gerard Daley, late Monday afternoon, Ashland Police Officer Daniel Weikel and a State Parole Agent located Fickinger and attempted to take him into custody.
When Weikel and the Parole Agent located Fickinger, they attempted to take him into custody, but he fled on foot.
Weikel located Fickinger inside a sewer pipe in the area of 1st Street and could hear Fickinger going through the sewer system. Weikel ordered Fickinger to stop but he continued further.
Weikel and the Parole Agent eventually found Fickinger underneath a storm drain on 1st Street and ordered him to stay and they would help him get out.
Before fire and EMS could arrive, Fickinger fled again further into the sewer system.
After several hours, with help from the borough's street department, Fickinger was located and removed from the system through a manhole several blocks from where he originally entered the pipe.
Fickinger was taken into custody and cleared by Ashland EMS, before being taken for arraignment by Magisterial District Judge Christina Hale. He was then locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on $25,000 straight cash bail.
Pennsylvania State Parole also placed a detainer on Fickinger for violations of parole.