Interstate chase suspect arrested
A Pittsburgh man was arraigned Friday on charges stemming from a chase last month that started on Interstate 79 near the Washington-Greene county line and ended off Interstate 70 near Wheeling, W.Va.
Timothy Lee Robinson, 42, is accused of leading state police on the May 15 chase where speeds reached 120 mph.
Police received a report from another motorist of an erratic driver going north on I-79 near the Waynesburg exit. The other driver was able to give police a license plate number for the Ford Mustang. She told police the Mustang almost crashed into the concrete barrier several times before speeding away.
Police were parked off the highway when Robinson sped past and attempted to stop the vehicle, which continued west on I-70. The car almost hit several other vehicles as it continued west.
State police notified the Ohio County (W.Va.) sheriff’s office and Wheeling police, asking for help as the car approached the state line. Wheeling police used spike strips near the exit for The Highlands in West Virginia, deflating the passenger side tires. The car continued for about 1 1/2 miles. Robinson got out of the car, jumped over the guard rail, ran down an embankment and into a small river. He swam across the river and then ran up an embankment. Police were able to identify him through the vehicle registration and his driver’s license photograph.
Robinson was arraigned via video before District Judge Ethan Ward on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude police, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and numerous traffic violations. Ward set bond on Robinson, who is currently incarcerated in the State Correctional Institute – Pittsburgh, at $25,000.