The hunt for a suspected archery bow thief ended Wednesday after a police chase through heavy traffic that made some onlooking motorists quiver in fear, authorities said.

Matthew W. Carothers, 41, of Midland, Beaver County, was arrested shortly after he allegedly stole a $1,100 compound bow about 3:30 p.m. from the Field & Stream store at Cranberry Square off Route 19.

Carothers also is suspected of shoplifting another bow several weeks earlier from the same store, said Cranberry police Sgt. Chuck Mascellino.

District Judge Dave Kovach arraigned the suspect on felony charges of fleeing or attempting to elude police, retail theft and receiving stolen property.

He also is charged with possession of an instrument of crime, careless driving and other traffic violations. He was placed in the Butler County Prison on $10,000 bail following arraignment.

Police were called soon after the latest bow theft in which the crook cut the security tag off the merchandise. He left the store and made off in a getaway car.

Officers immediately began chasing the alleged shoplifter from Old Freedom Road onto Freedom Road, which as usual was congested with traffic.

Carothers’ effort to evade officers posed a danger to other motorists, Mascellino said.

“There was one near miss (accident),” he said.

The one-mile chase ended on Thorn Hill Road.

“He got trapped in a parking lot,” Mascellino said.

Officers reportedly found the stolen bow in his car.

The first bow that Carothers is accused of taking on March 2 has not been recovered.

The two bows, Mascellino said, are worth a combined $2,199.

Carothers’ preliminary hearing is set for May 13. - See more at: http://www.cranberryeagle.com/article/20160429/CRAN0501/160429917#sthash.3nRb6bTG.dpuf