Fugitive Arrested After Leading Police On Chase

Just after midnight on September 23rd, the Hazleton Anti Crime Detail with Officer's, P. Bautista and R. Mariano were traveling on N. Laurel Street on patrol when the Officers observed a gold color Honda Accord with PA plates operated by 27 year old Christopher Irizarry traveling East on W. Mine Street.

According to a press release, Irizarry was known to the Officer to have a suspended drivers license. The Officers got behind the vehicle on S. Church Street and activated their emergency lights and sirens in attempt to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle.

Irizarry fled South on S. Church Street where the vehicle made a left turn onto W. Juniper Street at a high rate of speed and traveled through numerous stop signs and traffic signals and eventually began traveling the wrong direction on various roadways.  The pursuit continued on W. Green Street in the wrong direction where it eventually came to a final rest in the parking lot at W. Green & N. Lee Court.

Officers conducted a felony traffic stop on the vehicle and took Irizarry and the front seat passenger a 23 year old male into custody without incident.

The investigation revealed Irizarry was fleeing from Police to avoid apprehension due to an active bench warrant out of Luzerne County Sheriff’s Office for failure to appear on drug related charges.

Both individuals were transported back to City Hall where the passenger was released and Irizzary was charged with Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police (F3), Flight To Avoid Apprehension (M2), Driving While Under Suspension (S), and Multiple other summary violations.