A man allegedly led police officers on a high-speed chase Tuesday afternoon from Bradford City to Foster Township.
Police have not released the name of the man.
According to Bradford City Police, their department tried to stop a car at 12:42 p.m. on Mill Street near Jackson Avenue.
“There were reports the individual was suicidal and acting erratic,” police stated. “The operator fled in the vehicle from Police and a pursuit ensued through city streets. The pursuit was terminated as speeds were too dangerous to others.”
The chase was outlined on the scanner, with dispatches naming off streets as quickly as the apparently fast-moving car was traversing them: Jackson Avenue, Pleasant Street, Pearl Street, West Washington Street and Mechanic Street. The car was apparently traveling away from Bradford City on South Avenue, but then turned onto Congress Street and returned to South Avenue, traveling in the direction of downtown. Bradford City Police stopped following the car in the area of Tops Friendly Markets parking lot.
Reports alleged that he passed multiple vehicles and traveled at estimated speeds up to 90 mph before city officers stopped following him.
“A short time later the individual was located outside his vehicle at the Lafferty Hollow Industrial Complex,” police reported. “The male ran into the woods on foot, again fleeing from Police.”
Several police agencies assisted city police with setting up a perimeter and searching for the man, including Foster Township Police, Bradford Township Police, the McKean County Sheriff’s Department, Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Reports indicate the man was taken into custody just before 2 p.m.
“The individual was captured safely and transported to Bradford City Police Station,” Bradford City Police stated. “The individual was provided mental health help and will also be arraigned on charges as his actions placed several persons including himself in danger of serious injury.”
Court records indicate that Bradford City filed criminal charges Tuesday evening against a man named Damien J. Packer, 19, of Lewis Run.
It was unclear at press time whether Packer is the man from the above chase.
According to court records, Packer was arraigned before District Judge Dominic Cercone on four counts of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, seven counts of recklessly endangering another person and 74 summary traffic violations. Packer was committed to McKean County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail, and a preliminary hearing is set for May 5.
