Police: Man hid under cabinet following pursuit, crash into Butler residence
A Butler man hid under a kitchen cabinet in a Butler duplex after leading police on a pursuit and crashing a vehicle into the New Castle Street residence, according to charges filed Wednesday, Nov. 12.
The pursuit began after police found Joseph Timmons Bailie V, 21, asleep at the wheel of a silver Volkswagen Jetta with the car running and headlights on around 11:50 p.m. Monday night at Sheetz on New Castle Road in Butler Township, the affidavit said.
During the pursuit that followed, Bailie almost hit police with his car and evaded the officers at high speeds through the township and the city before striking the house at 1015 New Castle St.
His charges of one felony count each of fleeing police and flight to avoid apprehension, two misdemeanor DUI counts and one misdemeanor count each of reckless endangerment, marijuana possession and six summary traffic citations were filed in District Judge Kevin O’Donnell’s office on Wednesday.
Police said Bailie awoke several moments after police knocked on his window multiple times. Police said while Bailie looked at them, he attempted to smoke a vape device by putting it up to his mouth, but there was nothing in his hand.
Bailie then rolled down the window, and police requested his license. Police said Bailie then shifted his vehicle into reverse and was ordered to shift it back into park. When police requested his license a second time, police said Bailie shifted into drive and accelerated forward into a concrete pole.
Police said they opened the car door and ordered Bailie to exit the vehicle, and he accelerated into the concrete poll again before shifting back into reverse.
Police said Bailie then reversed at high speeds and almost struck an officer with his open car door.
Bailie then exited the parking lot and drove through a solid red light to turn left onto New Castle Road and sped toward Butler. When approaching Hansen Avenue, police said Bailie lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the house on New Castle Street.
Police said Bailie exited the vehicle and attempted to hide in the kitchen under a cabinet where he was taken into custody. Police said they found a suspected THC vape pen in the passenger seat of his vehicle.
Bailie’s preliminary hearing is yet to be scheduled.
