SPRINGFIELD TWP, Mercer County — State police are looking for the man behind the wheel of a high-speed chase Tuesday afternoon just north of the Butler County line.

Robert J. Elder, 30, of Sharon ran off, leaving his girlfriend behind after traveling off Interstate 79 and stopping the car.

Before ending the pursuit that began about 1:30 p.m. and hit speeds of more than 100 mph, he led troopers over several roads and through a field.

Police eventually found the car and the suspect’s girlfriend, Lindsey Wolbert, but no Elder, in nearby Worth Township.

Wolbert, 29, of Corsica, Jefferson County, was caught with suspected drug paraphernalia, according to a police report.

Patrol troopers initially got behind Elder’s northbound vehicle on I-79 and tried to stop him. But he accelerated in excess of 100 mph before getting off the highway and getting onto I-80.

Police said the suspect kept speeding eastbound on the interstate before getting off at the Grove City exit. He continued north on Route 173 and tried to turn onto East Gilmore Road.

But he traveled through a ditch and into a field. He made it back to the road.

“At some point,” the report said, “Elder stopped the vehicle and fled on foot telling Wolbert to keep driving.”

Later, troopers found the her and the car parked near a field on Harrisville Road in Worth Township.

Elder faces charges including fleeing or attempting to elude police and reckless endangerment. Wolbert faces a charge of possessing drug paraphernalia.

Anyone with information about Elder’s whereabouts is asked to call police at 724-662-6162.