Jan 8, 2018 2 min read

A Marianna man was arrested early Monday by state police on numerous charges after allegedly twice crashing a stolen vehicle and leading troopers on a chase in South Franklin Township.

Jamie Lee Curtis, 27, of 1 Whitehall St., was taken into custody after he allegedly fled from troopers after crashing the stolen pickup truck into a rock. Police said they were able to trace his footprints in the snow to a home on Preferred Drive.

Police were initially called about 12:05 a.m. for a report of a parked vehicle that had been hit and pushed onto a side porch of a home in South Franklin. A dark Chevrolet pickup truck was seen driving away.

A trooper spotted the truck on S Bridge Road. As the trooper turned around his cruiser and activated the emergency lights, the driver of the truck accelerated. The truck was seen turning onto Vaneal Road. Police said Curtis drove into a driveway in the 500 block of Vaneal, through the yard and back onto Vaneal.

Police continued the pursuit on Vaneal. Curtis then allegedly turned onto Old Scales Road, where the truck went off the road and crashed into a rock. Police said Curtis fled, leaving behind a passenger.

Police said they found blood and shoe prints in the snow next to the truck. Footprints also were found on Park Avenue, leading through backyards to the deck of a home on Preferred. Police said the homeowner allowed Curtis inside to use the telephone. When police arrived, he allegedly tried to flee again but was taken into custody outside the home.

Curtis also was wanted on a warrant obtained by Ambridge police charging him with theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property in connection with the theft of the vehicle Jan. 1. He reportedly told police he knew he was wanted on the warrant, and that is why he fled.

Curtis was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger on charges of criminal mischief, receiving stolen property, flight to avoid apprehension, driving under the influence, reckless endangerment, unauthorized use of a vehicle, resisting arrest, fleeing or attempting to elude police, disorderly conduct, loitering and prowling at night, public drunkenness and 15 traffic violations. He was placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. Curtis is scheduled for a Jan. 22 hearing before District Judge Ethan Ward.

State police were assisted by North Franklin Township and Washington officers.