New Ringgold Man Charged After High Speed Chase-Monday July 6, 2015
by News Department on 07/06/15
A New Ringgold man faces numerous charges after leading police on a high- speed chase Sunday after noon from Mount Carbon to near Molino.
State police at Schuylkill Haven said the chase started when a trooper in a marked patrol car attempted to stop Chad Kenneth Belsak, 39. Belsak was driving a 1998 Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck 66 mph in a 50 mph zone at 12: 23 p. m. in the southbound lane of Route 61, just south of Mount Carbon.
Police said Belsak fled at a high rate of speed, making numerous maneuvers, including speeding through the Cressona Mall parking lot before traveling on Route 183 south. Belsak allegedly forced numerous vehicles off the roadway and passed others while traveling in the wrong lane.
Police said Belsak continued onto Wilder Street in Cressona and onto property owned by Beckville Gun Club, crashing through a fence into a cornfield and down several private driveways.
Belsak continued onto Panther Valley Road into Cressona, t raveling on numerous streets before entering Schuylkill Haven. Police said he continued to drive recklessly on numerous streets and back roads.
During the pursuit, Belsak allegedly drove through numerous stop signs and eventually came back out onto Route 61 from Sculps Hill Road, continuing south into Deer Lake while passing vehicles by traveling off the right side of the road.
Police said Belsak continually slammed on the brakes of his vehicle in an attempt to have state troopers rear end him. He then rear ended a pickup truck that did not get out of his way. While attempting to force the truck out of his way, police said, a trooper was able to box him in and force the vehicle to a stop.
Police said they took Belsak into custody with the assistance of other police departments. He was found to be wanted by th e Schuylkill County Adult Probation Office for a probation violation. Police said Belsak was taken to the Schuylkill Medical Center- South Jackson Street for a blood test after it was suspected he was under the influence of a controlled substance. He was then transported to the Schuylkill County Prison on the outstanding warrant.
Charges include aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, fleeing and eluding police, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, speeding, stop sign violations, trespass by motor vehicle and other traffic violations.
Charges will be filed with Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg.
The investigation is continuing. State troopers were assisted by Schuylkill Haven, Orwigsburg and Penn State police, state police at Hamburg and Reading and aviation patrol units.
