Steven Henshaw: Berks man flees Route 61 checkpoint, leads troopers to his home
Apr. 25—An Ontelaunee Township man led state police on a winding vehicle chase that ended in front of his residence after he sped away from a sobriety checkpoint on Route 61 near Shoemakersville, nearly running over several troopers, investigators said Monday.
Malcolm S. Woolridge, 32, was taken into custody shortly after midnight Sunday morning after he parked his car in front of his residence in the first block of Bisbee Drive and started to walk toward the front door, troopers said.
Woolridge remained free after arraignment Sunday before District Judge Andrea Book in Reading Central Court. He was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, reckless driving and driving at an unsafe speed.
Troopers from the Hamburg station conducted a sobriety checkpoint between 10 p.m. Saturday and 2 a.m. Sunday on Route 61 just south of Bellevue Avenue in Perry Township.
They made contact with 120 motorists and arrested two drivers suspected of driving under the influence. They also issued 16 citations and issued three warnings.
Investigators provided this account in arrest papers:
Shortly after midnight, a sedan driven by Woolridge entered the area delineated by orange traffic cones and illuminated by the lights of emergency vehicles. Troopers flagged Woolridge and ordered him several times to shift the car into park, but he instead accelerated from the checkpoint, nearly hitting several troopers.
A couple of troopers in a chase car pursued the vehicle as it continued south on Route 61. The chase continued into Ontelaunee at speeds exceeding 100 mph.
Woolridge turned left onto Bellemans Church Road, then right onto Indian Manor Drive and left onto Gernants Church Road before turning onto Adam Road and entering a housing development.
The sedan stopped in front of a home that police later learned was Woolridge's residence. Troopers ordered Woodridge to the ground after he exited the car and started to walk toward the home.
After taking him into custody, they had the car impounded while they obtained a search warrant.
An investigation continues.
