Pittsburgh man accused of Saturday kidnapping has more charges filed in police chase
A Pittsburgh man accused of kidnapping a woman Saturday in Butler told police he was going “on a rampage” after the U-Haul he was driving stopped in Adams Township, according to new charges filed Thursday, Feb. 19.
Kenneth Michael Clarke, 53, is accused of kidnapping a woman on McGeary Street in Butle before she escaped the U-Haul and ran into Butler Tobacco & Grocery. Clarke continued to lead police on a chase through several Butler County municipalities.
Clarke was charged Tuesday by Butler city police with one felony count each of kidnapping, strangulation and aggravated assault; and one misdemeanor count each of terroristic threats and simple assault. The Thursday charges from Jackson Township police add felony fleeing police and 12 summary traffic offenses
Police said the chase covered 11.5 miles in 13.5 minutes. After Clarke fled from the city of Butler, the chase picked up in Jackson Township and went through Callery, Evans City and Cranberry Township before ending in Adams Township.
After Clarke fled the store in Butler, Jackson Township police were contacted to watch for a U-Haul driving recklessly on Route 68. At that time, the vehicle was last seen turning onto Lindsay Road from Route 68.
A Jackson Township police officer was sitting in a driveway near Lindsay Road when he saw the U-Haul pass. Police said it was clear Clarke was attempting to elude them when he turned onto Jo Deener Drive and passed a vehicle in front of him.
The U-Haul continued on Franklin Road toward its intersection with Peters Road, which was where a Cranberry Township police officer deployed spike strips and disabled the U-Haul’s front tires. It continued across Myoma Road toward Indian Meadow Drive, but other police coming from the opposite direction stopped it.
Police said Clarke claimed he did not see any of the police vehicle pursuing him. They added Clarke’s license was already suspended.
Police said Clarke went 70 mph in a 25-mph zone, went 60 mph in a 35-mph zone, ran three stop signs, two red lights and illegally passed six vehicles during the chase.
Clarke’s preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 4 before District Judge Amy Marcinkiewicz. His preliminary hearing for the Butler charges is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. March 2 before District Judge William Fullerton.
Clarke is being held in Butler County Prison on bails of $250,000 and $150,000.
