Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Man in Custody After Leading Shenandoah Police in Motorcycle Pursuit

A man is in custody after leading Shenandoah Police in a pursuit on a motorcycle on Monday.

According to court papers filed through Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker's office, on Monday, October 9th, 2023, around 12:48pm, Officer Mark Hysock was on patrol on West Centre Street when he witnessed a blue and white motorcycle traveling eastbound.

Officer Hysock observed the motorcycle turn north on Gilbert Street where it jumped the sidewalk and began to travel on the sidewalk at a high rate of speed.

When Hysock began to follow, the motorcycle drove back onto the street and turned onto West Mount Vernon Street at a high rate of speed, failing to stop at a stop sign.

The driver of the motorcycle continued to drive blowing through stop signs and driving the wrong way on one-way streets.

The chase followed several streets in the borough until they reached Route 924 when the motorcycle drove away and Officer Hysock lost sight of him, calling off the pursuit.

On Tuesday, October 10th, 2023, Shenandoah Police Officer Applegate and Chief Carado took Thomas Christensen, 26, of Shenandoah into custody for the incident.

When speaking to police, Christensen admitted to being the driver of the motorcycle and stated he ran because he had a suspended license and thought if he was caught, he would go to prison.  He also stated that he thought it would be like "GTA" and if he got away nothing would come of it.

Officer Hysock charged Christensen with fleeing or attempting to elude police, reckless driving, careless driving, driving with a suspended or revoked license and several traffic violations.

He was arraigned Tuesday before Judge Kilker on the above charges and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on (10%) of $10,000 cash bail.