Two men were taken into custody early Monday morning after leading Pennsylvania State Police on a high-speed chase through Mt. Airy in a vehicle linked to multiple recent shootings, according to authorities.
The incident began just after 2 a.m., when Troopers from the State Police's Philadelphia station spotted an orange Acura TLX on Lincoln Drive bearing a stolen Pennsylvania license plate.
Police say the same vehicle was wanted in connection to several shooting investigations by the Philadelphia Police Department and had previously been involved in a pursuit with another state trooper.
When troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop by activating their emergency lights and sirens, the driver of the Acura refused to yield, sparking a pursuit.
The vehicle continued north on Lincoln Drive before turning onto West Allens Lane. The chase came to an abrupt end when the Acura crashed into a cul-de-sac at 1035 West Allens Lane.
According to the police report, both the driver and passenger fled the scene on foot into a densely wooded area behind the home. Troopers and Philadelphia police officers chased the suspects through the wooded terrain.
One trooper and several Philadelphia officers apprehended the passenger near Cresheim Valley Road without further incident. A second trooper tracked the driver through steep, brush-covered terrain and arrested him near Livezey Lane, police said.
No injuries were reported during the pursuit or arrests.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the suspects or specified how the vehicle was connected to the shooting investigations.
The Philadelphia Police Department’s Major Case Team and Shootings Investigations Unit are assisting with the ongoing investigation.
Further charges are expected as investigators continue to process evidence from the vehicle and review surveillance and forensic material linked to recent violent incidents in the city.