Thursday, February 13, 2020

Zion Grove Man Charged After Leading East Union Police in High Speed Pursuit

A man was charged Thursday morning after leading East Union Township Police in a high speed chase on Wednesday.


According to East Union Township Police Chief Thomas Rentschler, just before noon Wednesday, Rentschler noticed Jeffrey Grove, 53, Zion Grove, exiting a gas station in Sheppton in a silver Chevrolet Cavalier.  Rentschler was familiar with Grove due to him having a suspended license as well as the registration and inspection being expired on the Cavalier.

Rentschler followed Grove who then began to speed up.  After Rentschler activated his emergency lights, Grove sped up faster, blowing through stop signs and intersections, passing vehicles illegally, and almost hitting a Sheriff's vehicle that was in the area.

Rentschler said Grove hit speeds of 85 mph before he backed off on the over 6 mile pursuit.

The vehicle was later found smoking in a parking lot with Grove no where to be found.  Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville, West Mahanoy Township Police, and Mahanoy Township Police assisted in searching for Grove but was unable to locate Grove.

Grove's vehicle was impounded and Rentschler later learned that Grove was residing at the Red Ridge Lake Campgrounds.

On Thursday morning, Grove was taken into custody, arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker and charged with fleeing and eluding police, recklessly endangering another person, driving with a suspended license, operating a vehicle without insurance, operating a vehicle without proper registration, reckless driving, careless driving, among other traffic violations.