Two in Custody After Leading Pottsville Police in Pursuit

Two in Custody After Leading Pottsville Police in Pursuit

Two were taken into custody on Thursday after leading Pottsville Police in a pursuit that ended in Norwegian Township.

According to Pottsville Police, on Thursday, January 26th, 2023, around 2:50pm, city officers attempted to make a vehicle stop on a dark blue Chevrolet Malibu due to the driver, Frank R. Jones, 35, no known address, having an active felony arrest warrant for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. 

Jones also had an outstanding warrant from state parole. 

Jones fled at a high rate of speed on Ann Street into Norwegian Township. 

The pursuit continued for approximately 5.5 miles onto Reading Anthracite property in Mount Laffee. 

Jones continued off road until his vehicle became disabled at which time, he and his passenger, Katarina Schweikert, 27, of Pottsville fled on foot. 

They were taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit. 

Schweikert was also found to have an outstanding bench warrant. 

Jones was arraigned on the existing drug warrant and committed to the Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $15,000 cash bail. Schweikert was also incarcerated at the Schuylkill County Prison on a separate bench warrant.

As a result of the pursuit, Jones will be charged with felony fleeing or eluding police, flight to avoid apprehension, hindering apprehension, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and numerous traffic offenses. 

Schweikert will be charged with evading arrest on foot, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both Jones and Schweikert will be arraigned on the new charges at a later date.