Mar 8, 2018 2 min read

A Houston man was arrested Wednesday by Cecil Township police after allegedly leading an officer on a brief chase the previous night that resulted in a search of a wooded area by police from several departments.

Michael Natale Jr., 46, of 5 First St., is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, leaving the scene of an accident, driving under suspension, reckless driving, failure to notify police of a crash, failure to render aid and several traffic violations.

Police said a Toyota Camry failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Millers Run Road (Route 50) and Route 980 about 8:25 p.m. Tuesday. An officer initially tried to stop the car, but it sped away at more than 90 mph in a 45-mph zone. The officer turned off the emergency lights on his cruiser because of road and weather conditions.

The officer continued to follow the vehicle and saw the car rounding a curve. The car skidded into oncoming traffic and hit a northbound vehicle before veering into a guardrail and hillside. As police checked on the occupants of the other car, the driver of the vehicle that fled the traffic stop, later identified by police as Natale, ran from the car into a wooded area off Swihart Road.

Police from North Strabane and Chartiers townships, Canonsburg and Houston, along with North Strabane’s K-9, Drago, with his handler, Sgt. Matthew Mancini, searched the area but were not able to find the driver.

Police contacted the owner of the car, who said Natale, her fiancé, had the vehicle, but she had not talked with him since he left their home.

Natale was taken into custody Wednesday after he returned home. Police said he was cooperative and admitted to driving the car.

Natale was arraigned before District Judge Jay Weller and placed in Washington County jail on $50,000 bond. He is scheduled for a March 15 preliminary hearing before District Judge Traci McDonald.