A Wednesday morning police chase traveled through Bristol Borough and Bristol Township.
A Pennsylvania State Police trooper was traveling southbound along Route 13 near Commerce Circle around 9 a.m. when he spotted a Chevrolet S-10 traveling with an expired Texas tag. The trooper began to following the pickup truck and tailed it into the parking lot of the Commerce Circle parking lot, according to court papers.
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The trooper wrote that he switched on his car’s emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The S-10 drove away, traveling on Veterans Highway (Route 413) and onto Western Avenue. The chase continued through the West Bristol section of Bristol Township for about five minutes before heading back to Commerce Circle in Bristol Borough before going on Route 13. The chase crossed the raised grass median by the Motel 6 in Bristol Township before heading onto Airport Road. The chase continued on area roads and onto the gravel walking path of Delaware Canal State Park in Bristol Township
State police said a trooper attempted a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle, which continued on the canal path.
Eventually, the S-10 stopped and the driver fled on foot across the parking lot of the Dallas Diner before being arrested in the middle of Route 13 northbound, state police said.
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While fleeing on foot, the driver threw a jacket onto the property of a nearby car dealership, state police said.
The driver was identified as Bryan Matthew Rabatin, 40, of Falls Township’s Fallsington section.
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Troopers wrote that Rabatin told them following the crash that he did not see the state police patrol car following him. Although, he further stated he “panicked” because he had an active warrant out for his arrest.
State police said they found a clear plastic bag containing suspect methamphetamine and a bag of suspected marijuana.
Two women were with Rabatin in the S-10, state police said.
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Troopers were assisted at the scene by Bristol Township officers.
Rabatin was arraigned Wednesday afternoon by Senior District Judge Joanne Kline on charges of flight to avoid apprehension, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use, reckless endangerment, and a number of traffic citations.
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Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
