Police Chase Ends in DUI, Reckless Endangerment Charges

A simple traffic stop lead Whitpain Police Department on a wild goose chase through area parking lots before stopping one alleged DUI driver from Norristown.

On April 13, at 8:52 p.m., an officer attempted to stop a blue Honda on Dekalb Pike for a traffic violation, according to Whitpain Police reports. At that time, the driver of the Honda turned into the Centre Square Plaza, 1301 Skippack Pike, driving through the lot, around parked vehicles and pedestrians and refusing to stop, said the report.

The Honda drove to the rear of the shopping center and then back out to Dekalb Pike, said police. The driver then cut through the lot of U. S. Gas, 1399 Skippack Pike, back out onto Skippack Pike and then turned into the parking lot of the Village of Centre Square, said the report.

At that time, another officer reportedly located the vehicle in the wooded area behind the shopping center. The driver, later identified as Joseph Wilson, 30, of the 1400 block of W. Main St. in Norristown, fled on foot, but was subsequently caught and taken into custody, said the report.

According to police reports, it was learned that Wilson was under the influence of a controlled substance. He was taken to Mercy Suburban Hospital for blood and charges including Recklessly Endangering Another Person, DUI and traffic offenses will be filed once the blood results are received, said the report.