Police in Blair Township say a Hollidaysburg man is behind bars after leading officers on a chase Monday afternoon in a stolen mini-van.
According to the affidavit, police were contacted Monday morning after a woman reported that 44-year-old Joseph Hale had stolen her vehicle from the Comfort Inn, located along Patchway Road.
Police say officers searched the area but were unable to locate Hale or the stolen vehicle.
Authorities say, later in the morning, the vehicle was reportedly spotted in the area of the Martin’s Grocery Store parking lot.
Police say the Allegheny Township and Duncansville Borough departments were called in to assist with the search for the vehicle, which was then spotted by police in the plaza.
Investigators a traffic stop was initiated, but Hale reportedly began to flee into the nearby Wendy’s parking lot.
Police say Hale reportedly exited the parking lot and turned onto Plank Road.
Authorities say the chase continued for several minutes as Hale repeatedly turned in front of traffic, at a high-rate of speed, and into various parking lots and plazas in the Hollidaysburg area.
They say Hale eventually crashed the vehicle in the area of Legion Park where he then fled on foot and “jumped” into the nearby river.
The complaint states that, a short time later, Hale was taken into custody at the Dairy Queen, located along North Juniata Street, by Game Commission officers.
According to online court records, Hale was arraigned late Monday afternoon on various charges, including fleeing/eluding police and theft.
He is being held at the Blair County Prison on $100,000 bail.