An Allentown man led state police on a high-speed pursuit through Berks and Schuylkill counties before officers spiked his tires to stop his vehicle along Route 61 outside Schuylkill Haven Tuesday night.
Kevin Martinez, 31, was jailed overnight and is being held on $50,000 bail and facing charges of felony fleeing following the late-night chase along Route 61.
State Police say a Trooper in an unmarked patrol vehicle was traveling northbound on Route 61 in Tilden Township, Berks County, around 11:16 p.m. Tuesday when Martinez’s white BMW station wagon passed the officer near Wilderness Drive. An license plate reader flagged the vehicle for an expired registration as it accelerated into a work zone.
The Trooper caught up to the BMW as it entered Port Clinton, clocking it at 71 mph in a 45 mph zone before it continued at that speed into a posted 35 mph zone. When the officer activated emergency lights and sirens, the BMW slowed to roughly 65 mph but passed several safe pull-off areas in West Brunswick Township without stopping.
An attempt was made to pull in front of the BMW to force it to slow down, but Martinez maneuvered around the patrol vehicle and accelerated into the mid-to-high 70s, police say. The pursuit continued through Schuylkill Haven, where the vehicle ran a steady red light at Pottsville St.
Officers deployed a tire deflation device shortly before Seven Stars Rd. in North Manheim Township, puncturing both passenger-side tires. As the vehicle began slowing down, troopers say they saw a bag thrown from the front passenger window. The BMW traveled another 1.3 miles with diminished control before coming to a stop in the 1200 block of Route 61-North in North Manheim Township.
Troopers took Martinez and a passenger into custody without further incident. The bag thrown from the vehicle was recovered a short time later. It had been ripped open, exposing a large amount of suspected marijuana scattered in the area.
In addition to the felony charge, Martinez is facing numerous summary offenses. The passenger has not yet been charged, according to court records.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6 before Magisterial District Judge Casimir Kosciolek.
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