Police say a shoplifting complaint at the Saint Clair Walmart turned into a high-speed pursuit on Thursday.
One woman has been charged, another of her passengers was detained, and a third allegedly fled on foot out of the vehicle midway through the pursuit.
Inside the vehicle, officers later recovered stolen merchandise and methamphetamine.
According to Saint Clair Police, the incident began just before 3:30 p.m. when Schuylkill County 9-1-1 reported that two women and a man were loading stolen items into a white Hyundai with black rims at the Walmart. Dispatchers told officers the vehicle had gone behind Dunkin’.
A short time later, an officer spotted a Hyundai matching the description and attempted to stop it. The vehicle turned north onto Route 61 and accelerated. Two marked patrol vehicles activated lights and sirens, but the Hyundai continued at a high rate of speed before turning onto E. Darkwater Rd.
Police say that on that stretch of road, the Hyundai – driven by 52-year-old Tina Blackney, of Frackville – passed another vehicle on a double-yellow line while still speeding.
The vehicle then stopped long enough for a man to jump out and run into the woods. One officer pursued the man on foot while the other continued after the Hyundai. The Canary has not seen a court record and there is no indication yet that that man was apprehended.
The pursuit continued on Darkwater Rd. and then Mount Laffee Rd. Police say the Hyundai was “carelessly and recklessly” driven without regard for other motorists and continued at unsafe speeds. The vehicle then turned left onto an unpaved road, and the officer saw a large cloud of dust rise in the area.
At that point, the officer ordered Blackney out of the vehicle and onto the ground. The back-seat passenger, identified as Brooke Huben, was also ordered out and detained. Blackney was taken into custody. No charges have been filed against Huben.
After the scene was secured, police contacted a Walmart asset protection employee, who said several stolen items had been placed in a large bag. The employee said that food items had been paid for, but the rest of the merchandise had been stolen.
Blackney allegedly admitted to having stolen items in her bag and showed the officer where they were. She pointed out a “Hello Kitty” box, orange hunting overalls, a coloring book and her brown bag, which she had used to conceal merchandise. She also consented to a search of the bag.
Police say that inside the bag were multiple unopened items with tags still attached. When asked whether she had any illegal drugs in the bag, Blackney reportedly pointed out a small pink and purple bag. Inside, police say they found a small yellow transparent glassine bag containing methamphetamine and a glass pipe with white and burnt residue.
Blackney was brought back to Walmart, where her bag was searched further with her consent. Officers recovered more stolen merchandise, including 1/4 hooks, an air filter, spray paint, a coloring book, orange hunting overalls, and other items totaling $237.29.
Police have charged Blackney with a felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude and misdemeanor counts of retail theft, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia as well as several summary traffic offenses.
Blackney was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli on Thursday night. Tarantelli set bail at $50,000 and remanded Blackney to Schuylkill County Prison.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled before Judge David Plachko on Nov. 25.
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