High-speed, five-county police chase began in Niles
A Bedford County, Pennsylvania man is in the Mercer County jail after police say he led them on a chase through five counties that began in Niles, Ohio and ended in Venango County, Pennsylvania.
The chase started on Thursday after Niles Police ran a plate and the car came up stolen out of Pennsylvania.
Officers attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, but say they began a pursuit after the suspect refused to pull over.
According to police, the suspect did not stop, and officers chased the vehicle on I-80 until it crossed over the state line and entered Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania State Police and Shenango Township Police took over the chase which ended near Emlenton Borough, Venango County after a police cruiser managed to block the car’s path.
The driver tried to escape on foot, but was captured according to police.
Justin Weidner, 31, who is being held on $75,000 bond faces charges of receiving stolen property, drug paraphernalia possession, DUI, recklessly endangering, and fleeing police.
Ronald Leckfor, who was driving on I-80 at the time, provided 21 News with video of the pursuit as several police cruisers speeding past him on the highway.