A Mahanoy City man is facing a long list of charges after allegedly fleeing police on a scooter and then attempting to escape on foot during a late-night pursuit.
Charles Romberger, 47, of Mahanoy City, was taken into custody on November 24, 2025, following what police describe as a dangerous series of maneuvers through borough streets. He has been charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police, flight to avoid apprehension, evading arrest on foot, reckless and careless driving, and numerous summary traffic violations. All charges were waived to Schuylkill
County Court during a preliminary hearing on December 4.
According to an affidavit filed by Mahanoy City Police Chief Thomas J. Rentschler, the incident began around 12:03 a.m. on November 24 when he observed a Vespa-style scooter traveling west on East Centre Street. When the driver spotted the marked police vehicle, the scooter abruptly turned north onto East Railroad Street, disappearing from sight.
Chief Rentschler continued patrolling and soon observed the scooter again—this time near 536 East Pine Street, an address known to be associated with Romberger, who had an active Schuylkill County bench warrant for failure to appear.
When the officer activated his lights and siren, the driver, later confirmed as Romberger, allegedly accelerated away, driving west on East Pine Street in the wrong direction.
During the pursuit, Romberger is accused of:
- Driving the wrong way on several one-way streets
- Failing to stop at multiple posted stop signs
- Passing a stopped vehicle on the right
- Failing to use turn signals
- Operating a scooter with no valid registration, inspection, or insurance
- Driving with a DUI-suspended license
The chase continued onto South 5th Street, East Mahanoy Street, South 4th Street, and East Market Street, police said.
At one point, Romberger allegedly attempted a turn but lost control of the scooter, crashing and being thrown to the pavement.
After the crash, Romberger reportedly fled on foot, running first south on South 5th Street and then east on East Pine Street. Chief Rentschler followed in his patrol vehicle, exited, and ordered Romberger to stop. The affidavit states Romberger continued running until he stumbled and fell in the roadway, where he was taken into custody.
A computer search confirmed the outstanding bench warrant and the suspended license status, police reported.
Romberger was transported to Schuylkill County Prison on the warrant and later arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker. He was initially committed to prison on $5,000 (10%) bail.
During his preliminary hearing on December 4, 2025, all charges were waived for court, and Judge Kilker reduced bail to $1,000 (10%). Romberger remains incarcerated at Schuylkill County Prison.
Romberger faces the following offenses from the November 24 incident:
- Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Officer (M2)
- Flight to Avoid Apprehension (M2)
- Evading Arrest or Detention on Foot (S)
- Driving While License Suspended – DUI Related (M3)
- Driving Without a License (S)
- Operating a Vehicle Without Valid Inspection (S)
- Driving an Unregistered Vehicle (S)
- Operating Without Required Insurance (S)
- Reckless Driving (S)
- Careless Driving (S)
- Improper Passing on the Right (S)
- Driving the Wrong Way (three counts) (S)
- Failure to Stop at Stop Sign (three counts) (S)
- Improper Turning Movements / Failure to Signal (four counts) (S)
All charges now move to Schuylkill County Court for further proceedings.