Johnstown, PA (WJAC) — Johnstown police have provided new details about what led to Thursday's chase through the streets of the city that ended with a crash in Moxham and one woman in custody.
Police say an officer was on patrol in the area of Horner Street when he reportedly witnessed a Maroon 2002 Nissan Frontier drive around multiple vehicles and through the red light at the intersection of Horner Street and Messenger Street.
According to the affidavit, the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, at which time the driver, identified as 47-year-old Rita Richards, continued to drive erratically in the direction of Central Ave. towards Moxham.
Police say during the chase, Richards ran multiple stop signs and continued to drive around other vehicles.
Authorities say, at one point, the Richards even drove through someone's front yard in the area of Ohio Street.
Police say the vehicle was eventually stopped between two parked cars along the 500 block of Cypress Ave., at which time the officer drew his weapon and demanded Richards exit the vehicle.
Police say Richards then put the vehicle into reverse, drove up the sidewalk and crashed into multiple trees, disabling the vehicle.
Authorities say officers continued to demand Richards to exit the vehicle to which she failed to comply.
Police noted that, eventually, two officers had to forcibly remove her through the window of the vehicle in order to place her in custody.
Officers then transported Richards to Conemaugh Hospital for evaluation before she jailed.
Police also noted that they later learned that the vehicle Richards' was driving was reported stolen.
According to online court records, Richards is being held at the Cambria County Prison on charges of aggravated assault, fleeing police and reckless endangerment.
Her bail has been set at $125,000.
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