Two arrested after police chase
Police surround a house at 616 Regent Ave. in Houston Wednesday morning before apprehending Earle Clifford Williams, who allegedly led police on a chase from Washington to Houston.
Police escort Earle Clifford Williams, 27, of Washington, after he was apprehended while allegedly trying to hide from police at 616 Regent Ave. in Houston.
Two men were arrested Wednesday morning by state police after one of them allegedly led a trooper on a chase and the other allegedly helped him hide from police.
Earle Clifford Williams, 27, of 120 Church St., Washington, is charged in the chase. Scott Anthony Domske, 33, of 414 Forrest Ave., Chartiers Township, faces charges including hindering apprehension.
The chase began about 10:30 a.m. on Interstate 70 near the Jessop Place exit in Canton Township. Trooper Kevin DeJulius was stationary operating radar on I-70 eastbound when he clocked a sport utility vehicle going 80 mph. Williams later was identified as the driver.
DeJulius activated the lights and siren on the cruiser in an attempt to stop the vehicle as it merged onto Interstate 79 northbound. Williams accelerated, increasing his speed to 100 mph, police said.
Williams exited the highway at the Racetrack Road exit and then got back on the highway, continuing north at an excessive speed. He then got off the highway again, this time at the Houston exit, turning left on Route 519 while still traveling at a high speed and running vehicles off the road.
Police said Williams then traveled on several streets before making a right onto Pike Street in Houston. He continued to speed, almost causing several crashes, police said. He then turned right onto North Johnson Road before turning onto Forrest. Williams then pulled the vehicle into the yard of Domske’s home. Domske is the registered owner of the vehicle.
Williams got out of the vehicle, ignored DeJulius’ orders to stop and get on the ground and ran into Domske’s house. A minute later, Domske came out of the house and got into his vehicle. Domske ignored an order to get on the ground by DeJulius while the trooper had his gun pointed at him.
Police said Domske got in the vehicle, backed it out of the yard and parked it in the driveway. He got out of the vehicle, again ignored orders to get on the ground and went back inside his home, police said.
When backup arrived and police surrounded the house, Domske and an elderly man left the home. They were ordered on the ground.
Police learned a man matching Williams’ description was seen running by construction workers in the area. When police asked Domske where Williams was, Domske said Williams had run into his house and asked him to hide him before running out the back door.
Domske told police he believed the man’s name was Eric, and that Eric’s girlfriend, Brooke, lived nearby. A Chartiers Township police officer told state police they were aware of a Brooke who lived at 616 Regent St. Police went to the home, and Brooke Johnson allowed troopers to enter and search the residence. Williams was found hiding in a third-floor attic crawl space.
Police found a piece of suspected crack on the seat of the vehicle. Domske’s grandfather gave police permission to search the home. Police found drug paraphernalia in Domske’s bedroom.
Williams is charged with causing or risking a catastrophe, fleeing or attempting to elude police, possession of crack, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, driving with a suspended license and 20 traffic violations including speeding and careless driving.
Domske is charged with disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence, hindering apprehension and allowing or permitting violation of title for allowing Williams to drive his vehicle.
Both men were arraigned before District Judge David Mark. Williams was placed in the Washington County jail on $100,000 bond. Domske is in jail on $50,000 bond. A preliminary will be held before Mark May 1.