Salisbury Twp., PA - Suspect Finally Arrested For Stealing Pennsylvania State Police Car - Hits Trooper - Trooper Chases His Patrol Car In Tow Truck - Suspect Escapes

October 7, 2011

wfmz.com

Police said they have arrested a man nearly five years after he embarrassed a state police trooper by allegedly stealing the trooper's cruiser from the side of a busy highway.

Ralph Berry was arraigned Wednesday night.

According to court documents, in November, 2006, Berry, who was 39 at the time, was stopped on the side of I-78 with a flat tire in the area of the Summit Lawn exit in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County.

A state trooper pulled over behind Berry to help him, and Berry said the jack couldn't raise the car high enough to allow him to replace the tire, so the trooper called a tow truck out to assist them.

While they waited, the trooper said he asked for Berry's license and registration, but Berry said he didn't have a license, just a learner's permit.

The trooper said Berry gave him a state identification card and he ran Berry's name through his computer and it came back positive for two arrest warrants. According to the trooper, Berry was wanted in New York on a dangerous drugs warrant and a parole violation, so the trooper said he called back to the barracks to request backup.

By that point, according to the trooper, the tow truck had arrived to replace the flat. So the trooper approached the driver and asked him to stall until his backup arrived.

While he was speaking to the tow truck driver, the trooper noticed Berry pacing back and forth near the trooper's car, then suddenly run to the driver's door and jump in.

The trooper said he immediately drew his weapon and ordered Berry out of the car, but Berry ignored him and took off, nearly striking the trooper and forcing him to jump back into the path of traffic.

According to the state trooper, he got into the tow truck and he and the driver of the tow truck started following Berry. They said they lost him when he got off I-78 at Quakertown and got on Saucon Valley Road.

Less than an hour later, police said they got a report of a male matching Berry's description at the Ace Hardware Store on Lanark Road running north from the area.

Police said they arrived in that area a short time later and found the stole police cruiser abandoned and not damaged.

Police were not able to arrest Berry until just recently.

He is facing charges of robbery of a motor vehicle, theft by unlawful taking, aggravated assault, escape and recklessly endangering another person.

His next court date is later this month.

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