A Schuylkill County man faces criminal charges after police say he fled an attempted traffic stop, sped through borough streets, and attempted to hide inside a grocery store earlier this month.
David Allen Legutko, 43, of Port Carbon, is charged in connection with the incident that began on E. Broad St. in Tamaqua and ended inside Boyer’s Food Market.
Police say they were traveling westbound in the 200 block of E. Broad St. around 9:45 a.m. on Dec. 5 when they saw a black Ford SUV cross the double yellow lines into the eastbound lane to pass another vehicle.
Police activated emergency lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop. While getting briefly delayed by traffic at the Five Points intersection, police say they witnessed the SUV make a “fast and hard left-hand turn” onto Hunter St.
While searching the area, the officer was flagged down at the intersection of Hunter St. and W. Cottage Ave. by a pedestrian. He reportedly told police the SUV sped down W. Cottage Ave. and nearly hit him.
Legutko’s SUV stopped at the intersection of W. Spruce and Center streets. When the light turned green, the vehicle allegedly continued onto E. Spruce St.
Police say Legutko turned into the loading dock area of Boyer’s Food Market, drove through the parking lot, and parked on the east side, near the Schuylkill River. Police say Legutko was not in the vehicle when it was discovered in the parking lot.
A check revealed Legutko’s driver’s license was suspended due to a prior DUI, police said.
A customer exiting the store reportedly told police they saw Legutko inside.
Police say they entered the supermarket and saw Legutko walking in a back aisle, looking down the aisle toward the front of the store. When the two made eye contact, Legutko kept walking and police say they “paralleled” his movement and looked down the aisles to spot him. Legutko was eventually taken into custody inside the store.
According to the affidavit, Legutko initially denied fleeing but eventually admitted to the incident. He was released from custody and informed that charges would be sent via mail.
Police have charged Legutko with misdemeanor counts of fleeing and evading arrest on foot as well as several summary traffic offenses, including driving on a suspended license. A preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2026.
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