Crime & Safety
Police: Drunken Driver in Stolen Car Flees Officers
Manchester man jailed after allegedly causing property damage in early morning chase through township
A Manchester man faces numerous criminal charges after police said he drunkenly led them on a chase early this morning in a stolen car.
Matthew Moore, 21, of Manchester was arrested and charged after fleeing a stolen vehicle and dashing into a wooded area on Tenth Avenue just after midnight, Capt. Lisa Parker said.
Moore was driving a 2004 Mazda RX-8 at approximately 12:09 a.m. when Patrolman Daniel Barker tried to stop him after observing Moore swerve in the area of Route 571 and Theresa Way, Parker said. The vehicle, which was later determined to be stolen, also had a broken front headlight, Parker said.
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Instead of pulling over, Moore led Barker on a pursuit before losing control of the Mazda and swiping a utility pole, the captain said. The collision didn't stop Moore, who police said continued to flee from Barker before crashing through the fence of a home on Route 571, coming to rest against a parked vehicle on the property.
The Manchester man fled the Mazda, jumped over the hood and ran toward the woods adjacent to Route 571, Parker said. Moore was soon spotted by Patrolman Charles Gatnarek on Tenth Avenue, where he was apprehended by Patrolman Adam Guker, Detective Richard Mazza and Gatnarek, Parker said.
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While being processed at headquarters, Moore became "extremely agitated and violent" and damaged a wall in the booking room, Parker said.
Moore was charged with eluding police; receiving stolen property; obstruction of justice; criminal mischief; driving while intoxicated; reckless driving; failure to maintain lane; failure to maintain lamps; failure to signal; failure to observe a traffic control device; leaving the scene of an accident; failure to report an accident; uninsured vehicle; and speeding.
Bail was set at $50,000, no 10 percent option, by municipal Judge Daniel F. Sahin.
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