A Freeport man is headed for trial on felony drug and other charges stemming from a police pursuit during which he allegedly rammed a state police cruiser in East Franklin Township, Armstrong County.

Dakota R. Furlong, 29, told police he sells large amounts of crystal methamphetamine, after he was arrested following the incident last month, according to authorities. Troopers said they also found him with the drug as well as other suspected drug trafficking contraband.

Furlong on Wednesday waived his preliminary hearing on felony charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude police and flight to avoid apprehension.

Other charges include driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, simple assault, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, all misdemeanors, and eight traffic violations.

He is in the Armstrong County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond. He also is being held on an unrelated bench warrant.

Cpl. Christopher Robbins was in a marked police patrol car about 11:20 p.m. June 20 when he tried to make a traffic stop of Furlong, who was driving a 1991 Toyota pickup, at the Franklin Village Mall, police said.

Furlong, however, allegedly sped away, running stop signs and traveling through a fence at Kittanning Self Storage. Police said Robbins attempted to perform a pursuit intervention technique or PIT maneuver.

The maneuver requires the officer to nudge the back of the evading vehicle, causing it to spin out and stop.

Robbins' PIT initially failed, police said. At some point Furlong rammed the cruiser. The suspect subsequently was arrested without further incident. No injuries were reported.

Police read him his Miranda rights, documents said, and he told them he was in possession of crystal meth and other paraphernalia.

“Furlong further related that he traffics and sells large quantifies of crystal meth in Armstrong County,” according to the investigating trooper's affidavit.

Police suspected Furlong was impaired, and he was taken to ACMH Hospital in East Franklin Township for a blood test. Toxicology results were not available.

Debra Yost of the Armstrong County public defender's office is listed as Furlong's attorney.