Apr 9, 2019 3 min read

A Hanover Township man is accused of leading multiple police departments in Pennsylvania and West Virginia on a car chase that reached speeds of up to 120 mph while two children were in the vehicle.

Anthony Michael Steineman, 37, of 22 Paula St., is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, endangering the welfare of children and summary traffic violations. According to the criminal complaint filed Friday by the McDonald Police Department, the incident occurred the evening of Feb. 9.

The complaint states that police were dispatched to 207 Center Ave., Burgettstown, about 10:20 p.m. following reports of a 3-year-old and a 6-year-old showing up on a doorstep unattended.

Before police got to the scene, Steineman arrived and claimed to be the father of the children, according to the complaint. He allegedly made them leave with him in a maroon Toyota Tundra, while the children screamed, “No, no, no.”

Police saw the vehicle Steineman was driving turn right at a red light without stopping and almost causing an accident with a black SUV, according to the complaint. Police attempted to pull him over, but Steineman fled north onto State Route 18, police said.

The complaint states that Steineman was traveling as fast as 90 mph and swerving across both lanes. He allegedly crossed over the double yellow line to pass a school bus and then started going west on state Route 22.

According to the complaint, Pennsylvania State Police, as well as the Weirton Police Department and Brooke County Sheriff’s Department in West Virginia, were called to assist. While on 22, Steineman allegedly reached speeds of up to 120 mph before he took the Colliers Way exit in West Virginia.

Steineman continued to ignore commands from police to stop, the complaint states, and continued to lead police on various roads in West Virginia while driving as fast as 90 mph. He eventually returned to Pennsylvania on Old Steubenville Pike. All police units were called off the pursuit once they learned who the registered owner of the vehicle was. According to the complaint, Steineman abandoned the vehicle in an open field, and it was discovered a week later.

James Lemmi is the vehicle’s owner, according to the complaint, but he “would not provide the officers with the name of the person who was operating his vehicle.” The following day, police said they were able to identify Steineman as the driver, following multiple interviews.

Steineman will face the charges at a preliminary hearing scheduled for 9:30 a.m. May 23 before District Judge Gary Havelka.