Traffic stop by state police ends with arrest of California teen
A traffic stop by state police of a vehicle with an expired inspection sticker Tuesday on West Chestnut Street in Washington ended in a foot chase and the arrest of an 18-year-old California man.
Jeremiah Robert Cox of 657 High St., identified as the driver of the Jeep Liberty, was apprehended after a trooper used his Taser during the chase. A passenger fled on foot.
Troopers Michael Greiner and Vincent Borello were on patrol going east on West Chestnut near Canton Avenue when they spotted the vehicle with the expired sticker stopped at the intersection. The troopers initiated a traffic stop, but the vehicle continued for about 300 feet before abruptly turning into a parking lot.
Police said the Jeep was still moving when Cox and the unidentified passenger flung open the doors and ran south in the direction of Cumberland Avenue. The Jeep hit a parked truck before coming to a stop in a yard.
Cox was spotted crossing some nearby railroad tracks. Greiner chased him on foot, ordering him to stop running. Cox turned twice to look at the trooper. Greiner told Cox to stop or he would use his Taser. Concerned for Cox’s safety and that of others as the suspect approached Cumberland, the Taser was deployed. The first deployment failed, but contact was made on the second attempt. Cox was taken into custody. He was taken to Washington Hospital for treatment before going to the barracks.
Police learned the Jeep had been stolen in Butler. Cox allegedly admitted to police he was the driver but said he did not know the vehicle was stolen.
According to authorities, Tuesday was not the first time Cox ran from state police. He is on probation after pleading guilty in May to charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct for running when police went to a Cokeburg home April 20 to take him into custody for a juvenile probation violation.
Cox was arraigned before District Judge David Mark on charges of receiving stolen property, flight to avoid apprehension, resisting arrest, driving without a license and not having insurance. He was placed in Washington County jail on $50,000 bond. Cox faces an Aug. 29 preliminary hearing before District Judge Robert Redlinger.