A New Jersey man led state police on a 12-mile chase through York County during rush hour earlier this month, injuring a state trooper, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
Richard Yaw Otchere, 27, of Newark, New Jersey, has been charged with a variety of felonies, including fleeing or attempting to avoid a police officer, driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances, and resisting arrest.
He was released on a $100,000 bond, according to online court records.
A lady who answered a phone number listed for Otchere in court records refused to comment.
A state police policeman attempted to stop the vehicle, but it sped away: affidavit
On March 22, a state police trooper was driving north on Interstate 83 when he noticed a BMW with a temporary Delaware registration traveling 70 mph in a 55 mph zone. According to the affidavit, the automobile was weaving around its lane and tailgating another vehicle.
The trooper checked the registration and discovered that it belonged to a 2022 blue Volkswagen Passat.
The trooper engaged the cruiser’s lights and sirens to stop the BMW near the Leader Heights intersection, but the driver accelerated away from the highway, according to the affidavit.
State police pursued the vehicle along Leader Heights Road, South Queen Street, and back onto the interstate. The chase concluded on I-83 South between the Glen Rock and Shrewsbury interchanges.
State police said the pursuit reached speeds of more than 120 mph.
According to the affidavit, Otchere drove at speeds above 120 mph, wove in and out of traffic, and almost collided with several vehicles during the pursuit.
The incident came to an end when state police utilized a precision immobilization technique to stop the fleeing vehicle.
Otchere’s car crossed the road and collided with another trooper’s patrol vehicle, according to the affidavit.
According to the affidavit, state police had to push Otchere out of the automobile, and he resisted arrest by blocking troopers from withdrawing his hands from under his body.
One trooper sustained a dislocated shoulder and was treated at WellSpan York Hospital.
State police discovered baggies of marijuana during a vehicle search.
According to the complaint, state police detected a marijuana stench from the car and discovered Otchere’s eyes to be blurry and bloodshot. He didn’t appear to understand what had happened.
“What are you pulling me over for,” he said, according to the document.
During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered two baggies of marijuana and rolling papers. According to the affidavit, the baggies tested positive for THC.