A homeless Schuylkill County man is facing felony charges, including aggravated assault and vehicle theft, after police say he stole a car, fled from officers, and crashed into a State Police vehicle on Thursday.
Michael Dower, 30, was arraigned Thursday night on charges including first-degree felony aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, and theft by unlawful taking. He was sent to Schuylkill County Prison after failing to post $100,000 bail set by Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli.
The incident began shortly after 5:30 p.m. when Frackville Police responded to 21 S. Lehigh Ave. for a report of a stolen vehicle. The owner told police he left his keys in his 2011 tan Chevrolet Malibu while briefly visiting a skill game room.
At about 6:30 p.m., police located the vehicle stopped at a traffic light at Oak and Lehigh streets, in the area of Turkey Hill in Frackville. When officers attempted a traffic stop and instructed the driver, identified by police as Dower, to exit the car, he fled west onto Oak St..
Police say Dower continued onto Fountain St. at a high rate of speed, passing several vehicles. As he approached the intersection of Fountain and Broad streets, a State Police vehicle blocked his lane of travel, and Dower struck the police vehicle.
Officers from several jurisdictions assisted in removing Dower from the vehicle. Police say Dower resisted arrest by refusing commands, bracing himself inside the car, and keeping his hands underneath his body to prevent officers from handcuffing him.
While in custody, police claim Dower was incoherent and “making no sense as to what he was saying”. Officers suspect he was intoxicated on some form of narcotics based on his behavior, statements, and driving. Police also say Dower was driving with a suspended license.
A preliminary hearing before Tarantelli is set for June 24.
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