Fingerprints lead to arrest in 2014 chase
Fingerprints inside a vehicle abandoned by a driver following a high-speed chase with state police last March led to the arrest of a 19-year-old Washington man already serving time in Washington County jail on several other charges.
Javarr M. Thomas was arraigned Monday before District Judge Robert Redlinger on charges stemming from the March 8 pursuit that began with an attempted traffic stop in Canton Township and ended when the driver abandoned the vehicle in Washington’s West End, leaving behind two passengers.
A trooper attempted to stop the vehicle after it went through a stop sign at Buena Vista Street and McCarrell Avenue in Canton. The driver fled at a high speed on several streets and alleys, going through seven stop signs, before stopping at Brookside and Broad Street. Police said the driver, now identified as Thomas, got out of the car and ran down Brookside. Police initially chased him but opted to stay with the vehicle because two passengers remained inside the car.
Police said they could see suspected stamp bags of heroin in the open console of the vehicle. Police obtained permission from the man who leased the vehicle to search it. In addition to 50 stamp bags of heroin, police said they found scales, a gun holster, gun magazine and two cellphones. Police also obtained fingerprints in the car and said they got a match to Thomas’ right, middle and index fingers. He also had been identified by the passengers, police said.
The passengers, Dontrice Lee, 25, of Washington, and Nikaya Renee Lee, 21, of the Bronx, N.Y., were taken into custody on charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver heroin. Police found $575 in her purse and $40 on him. They are awaiting trial on the charges.
In December, Thomas pleaded guilty to charges of robbery, possession with intent to deliver drugs and receiving stolen property. He was given a sentence of 11 ½ to 23 months, plus three years of probation.
Redlinger set bond at $25,000 on the new charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver heroin, unauthorized use of a vehicle, fleeing and attempting to elude police, abandoning a vehicle and myriad traffic violations. A preliminary hearing on the new counts is set for Feb. 9 before Redlinger.