A 36-year old Clearfield County man was arrested last night after a police chase led to a collision with a Tyrone Police vehicle.
Chief Joseph Beachem said Stephen N. Schweiger of Flinton was arrested on a host of charges after the incident that happened shortly after 10 p.m.
Initially, police were called to the Choice store at the intersection of W. 10th Street and Logan Avenue after a report of suspicious activity.
The man had left the Choice store and gone to the Sheetz store at the intersection of W. 14th Street and Logan Avenue.
Beachem said Schweiger then left that location and was driving on Logan Avenue. Police followed the driver and ran a check on his registration plate. It was determined the plate was registered to a different vehicle.
Beachem said officer Billy Mayes turned on his flashing lights and continued to pursue the driver in an attempt to pull him over for further investigation. The pursuit continued to Teaberry Street. Beachem said another officer, Dustin Rhoades, was driving in the opposite direction as part of the attempt to stop the driver. Beachem said Schweiger’s vehicle went into the opposite lane of traffic and struck Rhoades’ cruiser. Schweiger was apprehended after briefly fleeing on foot.
Beachem said the driver originally gave police a false name. After further investigation, police determined his correct identity and learned he was wanted on an outstanding bench warrant from Clearfield County.
Beachem said officer Rhoades was not injured. The officer accompanied Schweiger to Tyrone Hospital after he complained of pain. The suspect was checked there but was not hospitalized.
Beachem said the suspect was transported to Clearfield County and held there on the outstanding warrant. Beachem said he believed the suspect was being held there without bail based on that outstanding warrant.
Charges against Schweiger regarding last night’s incident were to be filed today. He faces a variety of charges including DUI, fleeing and alluding police, recklessly endangering another person, illegal and fraudulent use of a registration plate and a number of other traffic offenses.
Chief Beachem said the police cruiser was disabled as a result of the incident.
