08/21/17  Upper Saucon Twp, PA – Hit And Run Call Accident – Bystanders Held Him Down – DUI Suspect In Handcuffs Steals Patrol Car – Suspect Escaped And Recaptured

August 21, 2017

wfmz.com

Authorities in Lehigh County allege a DUI suspect managed to slip from the backseat of a police car to the driver’s seat and take it for a joyride.

Shawn S. Kresge, of Lower Milford Township, faces more than a dozen charges, including theft, DUI and fleeing and eluding in connection to his Friday night arrest. District Judge Daniel Trexler arraigned the 26-year-old, setting bail at $250,000.

Upper Saucon Township police were called to the 5800 block of Main Street shortly before 6 p.m. Friday to investigate a reported hit-and-run. Witnesses said a green Ford van struck a retaining wall and caused significant damage.

Authorities said they found parked on Main Street a green Ford E350 van with two broken rear windows, a damaged rear bumper and rock debris on the bumper, according to court records. Police said Kresge got behind the wheel of the van and drove away, headed toward Lanark Road.

Kresge failed to pull over and made an illegal left turn onto Lanark Road against a red light, according to records. Police said he eventually pulled over, but sped away into the oncoming lane, nearly colliding with another vehicle.

An officer pursued Kresge before terminating the chase at Waterford Drive. Police were dispatched to the 4000 block of Huckleberry Drive for car wreck in which the driver was trying to run. Neighbors had the Kresge pinned to the ground.

Police said they arrived to find Kresge’s van crashed into a tree and a Honda. He was screaming obscenities and allegedly threatened the neighbors who were holding him down.

Once in custody, Kresge allegedly admitted drinking about five shots and consuming “several narcotics” before driving. He allegedly smelled of alcohol and slurred his speech.

Police handcuffed Kresge and put him in the backseat of a patrol car. Kresge managed to slip his handcuffs from behind his back and crawl through the partition to the driver’s seat.

Authorities said Kresge sped south on Lanark Road, and that they used GPS to track him to the 4100 block of Cumorah Drive. Police arrived to find an empty car and a neighbor, who reported that a handcuffed man running into the woods toward Lotus Lane. Kresge was recaptured.

Police charged Kresge with theft, fleeing and eluding, reckless endangerment, two counts of driving under the influence and 10 summary traffic offenses.