Towanda ATV rider leads police on high-speed chase

Jason Whong

A Towanda man on an all-terrain vehicle led state police on a high-speed chase Tuesday in Monroe Township.

State Police in Towanda said James McKean, 28, of Towanda, tried to stymie the chase by going off-road on mountain trails before he drove to waiting police.

The following information about the incident comes from a police report:

McKean was driving a Yamaha Raptor 660 all-terrain vehicle south on state Route 414 around 10:45 a.m. when Cpl. Roger Stipcak used his marked patrol car to try to stop him.

McKean went off a berm, drove around the car, and fled south on state Route 414.

Troopers Timothy Young and Nate Lewis were nearby in an unmarked patrol car, and also tried to stop McKean.

McKean drove into the northbound lane and off a berm, went around the unmarked car, and continued south.

McKean turned onto Brocktown Road, where he led both police cars on a chase at speeds up to 80 miles per hour, the police report continued.

McKean then turned onto a private drive at Burns Farm, and turned to drive trails underneath nearby power lines. Police broke off the chase.

Police regrouped at the end of the trails, at a mountain behind Maple Leaf Inn on U.S. Route 220.

Young told other police he could hear the all-terrain vehicle coming from under the power lines, and waited by a carport next to a nearby home.

McKean drove from the mountain into the carport, where Young arrested him.

McKean was charged with fleeing or eluding police and recklessly endangering another person. He was arraigned before District Judge Fred Wheaton, and sent to Bradford County Correctional Facility.

McKean is scheduled to appear Jan. 15 before District Judge Timothy Clark for a preliminary hearing.

--

Source: http://www.stargazette.com/article/20100105/NEWS01/1050346/Towanda+ATV+rider+leads+police+on+high-speed+chase

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites