Driver Arrested After Leading Police On Chase Down Rt. 28
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) – Police have arrested the driver who led them on a chase, hitting several cars, down Route 28 Friday morning.
He was reportedly wanted on drug and assault charges and led police on a high-speed chase that ended near the ramp to Route 28 in Millvale during Friday morning's rush hour.
Police say it started during a narcotics investigation downtown. Sources identify the suspect as William Thompson. He allegedly took off, leading officers on a chase down Route 28, crashing into a police vehicle and several cars.
"There were a couple of vehicles that the suspect sideswiped coming up 28," said Police Cmdr. Linda Barone. "No one got hurt, no injuries, no tows, they were drivable."
The chase ended when the suspect crashed into a wall just off of Route 28 in Millvale.
"Coming down this ramp, he couldn't make the bend and hit into the wall barrier here, took off and he fled up the hill," said Barone.
Millvale, like several other suburbs along the highway that runs east out of Pittsburgh, is next to heavy woods and hills.
Officers searched the woods along the river, across the railroad tracks. A State Police helicopter joined the search.
The suspect got away, but police found what they were looking for.
"We've got a significant amount of heroin that was left in the vehicle," said Barone.
Police say the heroin has a street value of $376,000.
Police also issued a "Be On The Lookout" warning for Thompson earlier, who they said was armed and dangerous.
A K-9 officer nabbed Thompson and he had to be taken to a local hospital after his arrest to be treated for dog bites. The vehicle that he crashed was towed from the scene.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
