Nesquehoning man faces 79 charges after fleeing police in stolen truck

A Nesquehoning man faces 79 charges after he attempted to elude police on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by trooper Joseph Burke of the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop N, Lehighton Patrol Unit:

At 7:40 p.m. April 3, Burke and trooper Ryan Brands were on a nonrelated traffic stop on Silver Spring Boulevard, Polk Township.

Burke saw a silver GMC Sierra 1500 pickup that matched the description of a stolen vehicle from Carbon County. The vehicle turned left onto Mountain View Drive. Burke followed and the truck, driven by Steven Brownmiller, entered a yard on Silver Spring Boulevard.

Burke then activated his emergency lights and sirens, and the truck went back onto Silver Spring Boulevard, traveling north.

Trooper Brands arrived, and the truck traveled into the path of Brands, nearly striking the unmarked patrol vehicle and continued to Route 209.

Brownmiller then crossed the double yellow line, failed to stop at the stop sign or activate its turn signal before making a left-hand turn onto 209 south. The truck crossed back into the northbound lane and approached two vehicles traveling north, causing them to drive off the road to avoid hitting him.

The truck went through the intersection of Routes 209 and 534, continuing south on 209, passing three more cars, crossing the line again.

While traveling south on Route 209 toward Church Road in Trachsville, the vehicle traveled at speeds up to 100 mph in a posted 45 mph zone.

Brownmiller turned onto Church Road, passing a vehicle stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of Church Road and Fire House Road.

The vehicle continued to travel south on Church Road toward its intersection with Stagecoach Road East, Towamensing Township, and while on Church Road, the vehicle crossed over the center of the road into the opposite direction of travel.

The truck continued to travel south, entering the shoulder into a clearly posted farm field as a tire went airborne from the bed of the truck and into the field.

Brownmiller got out of the truck and ran into the woods. Burke recognized Brownmiller, 55, from a picture of another incident involving the stolen truck, and chased him.

Brownmiller fell down a large embankment on Clarence Drive and evaded capture.

He was apprehended on April 18 in Lehighton by Mahoning Township Police.

Police interviewed him at the Carbon County Correctional Facility on April 22. When asked about the incident, Brownmiller said, “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Brownmiller acknowledged that he did drive the truck and knew he was not allowed to.

He said he got the truck from “Rock,” and requested his attorney.

Brownmiller faces charges on 14 counts of traffic violations; 12 counts of driving on right side of roadway; seven counts of limitations on overtaking on the left; nine counts each of careless driving and reckless driving; three counts of stop signs and yield signs; two counts each of driving vehicle at an unsafe speed and meeting vehicle proceeding in opposite direction; and one count each of aggravated assault; agricultural vandalism; receiving stolen property; flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment; fleeing or attempting to elude police officer; habitual offenders; criminal trespass; maximum speed limits; depositing waste and other material on highway, property, or waters; trespass by motor vehicle; recklessly endangering another person; duty of driver on approach of emergency vehicle; driving vehicle at safe speed; registration and certificate of title required; registration card to be signed and exhibited on demand; unauthorized transfer or use of registration; drivers required to be licensed; carrying and exhibiting driver’s license on demand; driving on right side of roadway; driving while operating privilege suspended or revoked; and required financial responsibility.

He is in the Monroe County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail, and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing May 17 before District Judge Colleen Mancuso of Brodheadsville.