GLEN IRON — A Sunbury fugitive led multiple law enforcement agencies on a high-speed chase that ended when the police chief she was racing toward on a winding mountain road fired his gun into her vehicle. Jacquelyn Kathleen Norris then ran from the Honda Accord she crashed and was captured.
Norris, 21, of Third Street, suffered a minor injury when she lost control of the car, hit a utility pole and struck several trees at 9:05 a.m. Friday on Route 235, near Glen Iron in western Union County.
The pursuit began when officials, who had tracked Norris to a Union County address, tried to apprehend her for a parole violation stemming from a charge of carrying a firearm without a license.
Norris was getting into a vehicle when she saw the officials and fled, taking the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, Northumberland County Adult Probation, Union County sheriff’s department and Penn College police in pursuit, according to a spokesman from the marshal service. Also assisting were East Buffalo Township, Hartleton and Milton state police.
State police at Milton said the pursuit may have started in New Berlin, and went through three municipalities before entering Hartley Township.
That’s where Norris, with authorities in tow, turned south on Route 235 and, upon nearing the line separating Union and Snyder counties, turned around and headed north.
She continued to speed toward Hartleton police Chief Donald Zerbe, who fired his gun to try to stop the oncoming, fleeing vehicle, state police said.
Zerbe declined comment at the crash scene.
Norris was taken to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for evaluation, then released to the custody of Robert Belfanti, her parole officer.
From there, Norris was arraigned at 1 p.m. before District Judge Robert Bolton on charges of theft, receiving stolen property and flight to avoid apprehension.
She was remanded to Northumberland County Prison when she couldn’t make the $125,000 bail.
The car, owned by Jonathan Putterman, of Lewisburg, was taken to the state police station in Milton.
Theft, receiving stole property and flight charges were filed by Point Township police Jan. 14 and are unrelated to her parole violation.
Point Township police had been investigating an alleged theft from the home of William and Jean Kline, said Wade Lytle, the investigating officer.
Norris is accused of taking about $426 worth of collectable coins and $2 bills while visiting the home with the Klines’ daughter, Tiffany, who is dating Norris’ brother, according to an affidavit filed with Bolton’s office Jan. 20.
Norris was to meet with Point Township police at 9 a.m. Jan. 15 regarding the alleged theft at the Kline residence. Her failure to make that meeting added the flight charge to her list from that municipality.
She also faces aggravated assault charges for allegedly driving toward Zerbe, state police said.
Mifflinburg Hose Company, Mifflinburg Community Ambulance and Union County West End Ambulance responded to the accident.
Approximately six miles of Route 235 between Troxelville Road in Snyder County and Creek Road in Union County were closed during the accident investigation.
Norris’ previous charges include theft, forgery and receiving stolen property, filed in 2008 and 2009.
Leon Dunne, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, said Friday Norris’ specific violation was not being available for parole supervision.
A list of conditions of her parole included maintaining employment, not operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, avoiding contact with those dealing in drugs, receiving outpatient mental health treatment and participating in rehabilitation services, among others.
Norris has a preliminary hearing before Bolton at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday.
— The Daily Item staff reporter Marcia Moore contributed to this story. E-mail comments to fscarcella@dailiyitem.com or esocha@dailyitem.com
News
Related Photos
-
State police at Milton and other law enforcement officials investigate a crash along Route 235 near Glen Iron after a high-speed chase Friday. Evamarie Socha/The Daily Item
-
Hartleton Police Chief Donald Zerbe inspects a car driven by Jacquelyn Kathleen Norris that crashed after a high-speed chase in Union County on Friday. Evamarie Socha/The Daily Item
Discussion
Shot halts fleeing fugitive
Driver tried to hit oncoming chief, police say
- News
-
-
Firefighter union may char pacts
LEWISBURG — Paid members of the William Cameron Engine Company have voted to unionize under the International Association of Fire Fighters, a move believed to stem from internal tension between paid and volunteer members of the department, according to various sources.
-
M-W rule on drug testing is area’s boldest
MIDDLEBURG — Midd-West is the only school district in the Central Susquehanna Valley that requires students interested in participating in extra-curricular activities to agree to submit to random drug testing.
-
New shelter exec gets busy
When Cathy Teisher stepped down as executive director of Haven Ministries, in March, Pamela Steffen stepped up.
-
Tax boost could bring $120G pad
The Lewisburg Area School District will seek a 3.2 percent real estate tax increase for the 2012-13 school year, the maximum allowed under the index, under a proposed budget now available for public comment.
-
Fire has burned beneath Centralia for 50 years
CENTRALIA — Fifty years ago on Sunday, a fire at the town dump ignited an exposed coal seam, setting off a chain of events that eventually led to the demolition of nearly every building in Centralia — a whole community of 1,400 simply gone.
-
'To Do': Montandon Community Days
MONTANDON - Montandon Community Days will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 26 along Railroad Street.
-
California’s Coronado named nation’s best beach
CORONADO, Calif. (AP) — Like a Hollywood star, Coronado’s 1.5 mile-long beach literally sparkles, thanks to the mineral mica glinting in its sand.
That’s one of the reasons why Coronado — flanked by the iconic hotel featured in Marilyn Monroe’s 1958 film “Some Like It Hot” — has been named the No. 1 beach in the United States in the 2012 survey by “Dr. Beach” professor Stephen P. Leatherman of Florida International University. -
Typical CEO made $9.6M last year, AP study finds
Profits at big U.S. companies broke records last year, and so did pay for CEOs.
-
Barnstorming cattle badger citizens for beer
BOXFORD, Mass. (AP) — Police say a roving group of cows crashed a small gathering in a Massachusetts town and bullied the guests for their beer.
-
'A Day in Towne' tradition draws crowds to Boalsburg
May 25--For the 148th year, Boalsburg will be the gathering place for regional families to remember all ranks of Armed Forces veterans.
-
Fired Pa. president gets more time to clear office
CALIFORNIA, Pa. (AP) — A judge has canceled a hearing to determine whether California University of Pennsylvania president Angelo Armenti can remove his personal property from his former office, because state officials have given him more time to do so.
- Weird crime of the week: Peddler in pickup scams bargain-hunting meat seeker
- More News Headlines
-
Firefighter union may char pacts
