Oct 16, 2013 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – A warrant was issued for a Mt. Morris man who, according to a criminal complaint, led an officer on a chase, attacked him and then fled the scene April 20.

David Joseph Shekerko, 38, of 142 Hobbs Run Road, is charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. He is also facing single counts of escape, terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another, terroristic threats causing a serious public inconvenience, resisting arrest, driving under the influence of alcohol and 28 summary violations.

According to the complaint filed Wednesday with Greene County Magisterial District Judge Lou Dayich, Lt. John Loughner of the Southwest Regional Police Department was conducting routine traffic surveillance along Mt. Morris Road when a car passed him with an inoperable registration light. Loughner initiated a traffic stop and the vehicle pulled off, sliding on the wet grass and roadway, according to the complaint.

As Loughner began pursuing the car, it began to pick up speed and, out of safety concerns, Loughner was about to break off pursuit when the vehicle veered into the path of an oncoming minivan forcing it to swerve to avoid a crash, he said. At this point Loughner followed the vehicle on Route 19 toward the West Virginia border.

Loughner said the vehicle’s lights were turned off and the speed of the vehicle was in excess of 90 mph. He pulled his patrol car over and called Greene County 911 to have them alert Morgantown, W.Va., 911 of the situation. The lights went back off as Loughner’s patrol unit approached and Shekerko accelerated toward him, narrowly missing the rear driver’s side of his patrol unit.

Loughner drove to the parking area of the State Line Inn, where he saw a vehicle approaching with its high beams on.

The officer said Shekerko drove straight toward him. Loughner drove around the area and spotted Shekerko’s car in the parking lot of the Huddle House Restaurant at the Mt. Morris truck stop. Two males exited the vehicle. The passenger quickly went toward the restaurant and the driver began waving his arms, yelling and shaking his fists, according to the complaint.

Loughner said he asked the driver, identified as Shekerko, to calm down. When he asked him to place his hands on the hood of the patrol car Shekerko allegedly threatened to make Loughner “pay” and “pay now,” according to the complaint. At this point Shekerko balled up his fist, came at Loughner, swung and missed. Shekerko grabbed and punched Loughner.

During the struggle, Loughner was injured but was able to radio for help.

At this point, the passenger, identified as Jacob Leon Woods of Texas, came out of the truck stop and was arrested for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

Meanwhile, Shekerko returned and got into his car. Loughner drew his weapon told Shekerko to exit the vehicle. According to the complaint, Shekerko took off toward the officer, exited the parking lot, turned the headlights off, ran the stop sign and drove under the bypass out of sight.

Shekerko was identified from his driver’s license photo at the state police barracks in Waynesburg.