Mar 28, 2017 2 min read

An Allegheny County man was sentenced Friday to six to 12 years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to charges stemming from his arrest last year after he led state police on a lengthy chase through Buffalo Township, as well as charges from an earlier robbery case.

Bobby F. Kirkland, 24, of McKees Rocks, pleaded guilty to charges including possession with the intent to deliver nine bricks of heroin, having an unlicensed firearm, receiving stolen property and fleeing and eluding before Washington County Judge Michael J. Lucas. He also pleaded guilty in connection with an April 29 robbery in Charleroi.

State police followed Kirkland – who was wanted on three warrants, including one stemming from the robbery – when he left the Red Roof Inn in Canton Township May 9.

Police followed Kirkland to a home in Buffalo Township. After he left the home, police attempted to stop his vehicle, and he led them on a high-speed chase on Route 221 to the area of the on-ramp to Interstate 70. Kirkland’s vehicle crashed into a utility pole, and he attempted to run but was caught.

Troopers found nine bricks of heroin totaling nearly 450 stamp bags and more than $1,100 in cash when they searched him. He’d also thrown a 9mm handgun – which had been reported stolen in 2013 – from the vehicle during the chase. He had no license to carry the gun.

Once released from prison, Kirkland will be on 10 years of probation.