SNYDER TWP., Pa. (EYT) – A Brockway man – who violated a PFA (Protection From Abuse) Order – faces 87 charges after he fled from DuBois State Police in Snyder Township, Jefferson County.
According to court documents, DuBois-based State Police filed criminal charges against 27-year-old Joseph Blaine Becker, of Brockway.
According to a criminal complaint, around 12:13 a.m. on May 27, Officers McGarvey and Knight, of PSP DuBois, were dispatched to a residence on Vincent Drive in Snyder Township for a report of a PFA (Protection from Abuse) violation.
The complaint indicates that officers were notified that “the suspect was identified as Joseph Blaine Becker. He was no longer on the scene but possibly intoxicated and operating a white pickup truck.”
“While officers were interviewing the victim, a white pickup was on the scene at Vincent Drive with its headlights on. The pickup then reversed and disappeared over a hump in the roadway. Officers entered their marked patrol vehicle and headed north on Mt. Vista Drive,” the complaint continues.
According to the complaint, officers encountered the white pickup truck along the side of the roadway, and the emergency lights were activated. The white pickup fled the scene, and the officers chased Becker.
The complaint states that Becker traveled south on Route 219, turned east onto Boggy Run Road, Horton Township, in Elk County. While on Buggy Run Road, Becker traveled within the center of the roadway and into the opposing lane of traffic multiple times. Becker then turned west onto Mt. Church Road and traveled within the center of the roadway and into the opposing lane of traffic. Becker turned north on Route 219 and ran a posted stop sign. At this time, PSP DuBois were in contact with PSP Ridgway, and that agency was setting up a roadblock on Route 219, just north of Route 153. Becker turned south onto Route 153 weaving in and out of his lane of travel multiple times, as well as the opposing lane of travel.
The complaint indicates that PSP Ridgway joined PSP DuBois in the pursuit. The PSP Ridgway unit was able to get around PSP DuBois and Becker, and officers conducted a rolling roadblock. Around 12:52 a.m., Becker pulled off the west side of the roadway and came to a rest. Upon approaching Becker’s vehicle, it was noted that Becker had difficulty following commands/ opening the driver’s door. Officers indicated that he “smelled of an alcoholic beverage, his eyes were bloodshot, and he spoke with slurred speech. There were also multiple open beer cans, beer bottles throughout the inside of Becker’s truck, two of which were in the center console.”
Officers McGarvey and Knight took Becker into custody without incident. He was transported to Penn Highlands Hospital in DuBois. Becker consented to a chemical test of blood. His blood will be sent to PSP Erie Regional Lab for BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) results, according to the complaint.
Based on the above information, Becker was arraigned at 11:00 a.m. on May 27 in front of Magisterial District Judge David B. Inzana.
For the charge of Contempt For Violation of Order or Agreement (PFA Violation), he was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail on $25,000.00 monetary bail.
According to court records, at 10:00 a.m. on May 31, Becker faced an ICC (Indirect Criminal Contempt) hearing in the Court of Common Pleas of Jefferson County, with President Judge John H. Foradora presiding.
Becker issued a Guilty Plea for Contempt For Violation of Order or Agreement (PFA violation), court documents state.
Judge Foradora handed down a sentence of six months probation, costs ($476.00), a $300.00 fine, and no alcohol, according to court documents.
PSP DuBois filed a second case against Becker stemming from the same incident.
He faces the following 86 charges:
- Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Officer, Felony 3
- DUI: Gen Impairment/Incompetent of Driving Safely – 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
- Fail To Keep Right (30 counts)
- Disregard Traffic Lane, Single (seven counts)
- Duties At Stop Sign, Summary (two counts)
- Turning Movements And Required Signals, Summary
- Driving at Safe Speed, Summary (five counts)
- Careless Driving, Summary (12 counts)
- Reckless Driving, Summary (12 counts)
- Restrictions on Alcoholic Beverages, Summary (14 counts)
- Fail to use safety belt – driver and front seat occupant, Summary
Bail was set at $25,000.00 unsecured.
A preliminary hearing for this case is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 29 with Judge Inzana presiding.
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