Jan 19, 2015 2 min read

A North Strabane Township man wanted on bench warrants issued by the local district judge is facing more charges for allegedly fleeing from township police who were trying to take him into custody after spotting him Saturday night.

William George Glass, 71, of 45 Timber Lane, was wanted on two bench warrants issued Dec. 16 by District Judge Jay Weller in connection with harassment charges.

Officer Matthew Mancini was on patrol in the area of Timber and Route 519 when he spotted Glass leaving his home in his pickup truck about 11:25 p.m. Mancini was aware Glass was wanted on the warrants and knew that Weller was on night duty.

Mancini parked his cruiser to wait for Glass to drive by on Timber. Mancini planned to initiate a traffic stop and take Glass into custody, but he said Glass apparently spotted the cruiser, because he stopped, backed up and headed to his home. Mancini attempted to stop Glass, activating the emergency lights and siren on the police car.

Glass allegedly refused to stop and swerved his truck in the direction of the cruiser. He reportedly accelerated and turned quickly up his drive, hitting his mailbox, then went to close one of several gates on his driveway, presumably to keep the officer from following him.

Mancini gave Glass commands to stop and told him he was under arrest. Glass allegedly refused to comply and tried to get back into his truck. He was taken to the ground and allegedly struggled with the officer before being taken into custody.

Police said Glass was belligerent, telling Mancini that he knew the officer was waiting for him and should have hit the officer instead of running over his mailbox.

Glass was arraigned before Weller on new charges of resisting arrest, fleeing or attempting to elude police, disorderly conduct and careless driving. He was released from Washington County jail after posting $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 27.