The prime suspect in at least the four armed robberies in Schuylkill County and one in Berks County was taken into custody on Tuesday after leading State Police in a pursuit.According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Schuylkill Haven, on Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 around 12:45pm, a State Trooper attempted to make a traffic stop on a 1993 Mercedes Benz sedan that match the description of the suspect vehicle involved in robberies in southern Schuylkill County and Berks County this past weekend.
The driver of the vehicle, John Bennett, 32, of Cressona failed to stop and a pursuit began. During the pursuit, Bennett smashed into an unoccupied PSP Schuylkill Haven unmarked vehicle on Panther Valley Road in the area of Beckville Road.
Bennett then fled on foot and was taken into custody by Troopers.
Bennett was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude police, recklessly endangering another person, and numerous traffic violations.
Due to Bennett being the prime suspect in the robberies and for his prior record, Plachko denied bail and locked him up in Schuylkill County Prison.
The investigation of Bennett's involvement in the robberies is ongoing.
State Police have not ruled out Bennett's involvement in the West Mahanoy Township and Lavelle robberies.