An Ambler man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly lead police on a chase with his motorcycle through the West Ward section of Lansdale Borough.
According to the criminal complaint, Lansdale Police were patrolling in the area of the unit block of East Main Street at 8:08 p.m. on June 21 when they allegedly observed a motorcycle travelling westbound on the wrong side of the road. The vehicle then allegedly cut through the Lukoil Gas Station and made a left onto South Broad Street without yielding, nearly causing a crash, the report states.
Police engaged their emergency lights and followed the suspect—later identified as 23-year-old Joseph Skinner—down South Broad Street, where he reportedly travelled “well above” the speed limit and nearly caused another crash at the intersection of South Broad and Hancock streets, the report states. Police then activated their sirens as Skinner allegedly made a right turn without signaling on Whites Road, according to the report.
The pursuit continued through the west ward, touching on Whites Road, Pennsylvania, Towamencin and Richardson avenues, according to the criminal complaint. The report states that Skinner nearly lost control of his motorcycle while making a right turn onto Towamencin Avenue, and eventually lost control and crashed while on Richardson Avenue. Skinner then allegedly fled on foot, the report states.
After running through a grassy area near Parkside Manor Apartments along the 300-block of Whites Road, Skinner fell and gave up, according to the report. He was then taken into custody without incident, the report states.
Once in custody, Skinner allegedly confessed that he had been drinking, and a records check uncovered that Skinner had several outstanding summary warrants from multiple jurisdictions, the report states. Police also learned that Skinner’s driver’s license was suspended, and he had no registration or insurance for the motorcycle, the report states.
The criminal complaint states that police retrieved an open bottle of Jack Daniels Whiskey from the location of the crash, and when police approached the vehicle in which Skinner was seated, he allegedly said “Can I finish that?” The complaint adds that police found marijuana in Skinner’s backpack, and that he failed three field sobriety tests.
He was then taken to the Towamencin Township Police Station for a blood draw, the report states.
As a result of the incident, Skinner has been charged with one felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, misdemeanor counts of DUI, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, and summary charges of driving on a suspended license, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without insurance, passing where prohibited, illegal left turn and related offenses.
Skinner was arraigned on June 22 by Magisterial District Judge Richard Welsh, who set bail at $10,000 unsecured. He was then released from custody. Skinner’s next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on July 10 at 1:30 p.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Ed Levine.
Court records indicate that Skinner has more than two dozen citations and incidents dating back to August 2014, with nearly all of them tied to driving.
(Editor's note: All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. Should the defendant choose to issue a public statement, or is later found not guilty or has the charges dropped, we will update this article accordingly.)
See also:
Lansdale Man Arrested For Third Time Since March, Additional Drug Charges Filed
Awaiting Court On Drug Charges, Suspect Gets DUI, Spits In Cops’ Face: Police
Man Charged With Homicide By Vehicle While DUI In Hit-And-Run Crash On County Line Road
Hatfield Man Charged With Discharging Firearm, Striking Neighboring Homes
Workers Comp Fraud Charges Levied Against Former Lansdale Man By Attorney General’s Office
