PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (EYT) – State Police say a 61-year-old Johnstown man is facing felony charges in connection with a high-speed chase in Punxsutawney, Jefferson County.
On November 26 around 2:00 a.m., Indiana-based State Police requested that Punxsutawney-based State Police assist with a high-speed chase on State Route 119 headed north towards Punxsutawney.
At 2:07 a.m., troopers from PSP Punxsutawney encountered the suspect vehicle traveling north through Covode on Route 119. They turned around and determined the vehicle to be speeding.
They activated emergency lights and siren, and the suspect – 61-year-old Kenneth Thiel, of Johnstown – refused to stop.
Thiel continued to flee at high speeds and in opposing lanes of travel as he turned right onto Snyder Hill Road, then left onto Altman Avenue Ext.
Thiel turned right onto Zeitler Avenue in Punxsutawney Borough and had to turn around at the end of Zeitler Ave. where he hit the PSP patrol unit.
Punxsutawney Borough Police were contacted to assist and had their patrol car parked at the top of the hill on Zeitler Avenue. Thiel had to stop his vehicle at this location.
PSP pulled up behind Thiel. Thiel put his vehicle in reverse again striking the front of the PSP patrol vehicle.
Troopers pulled Thiel from his vehicle and, with the assistance of Punxsutawney Borough Police, took him into custody.
Thiel was charged with Aggravated Assault, Resisting Arrest, Fleeing and Eluding, DUI, and numerous Traffic Violations.
He is currently incarcerated in the Jefferson County Jail.
Copyright © 2024 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited.
