A local man faces a list of charges including attempted homicide, DUI, and resisting arrest after a lengthy, high speed chase that made its way through Ellwoood City and ended in Wayne Township.
Gary James Jones, Jr., 29, of Big Run, New Castle, is in the Lawrence County Jail today after leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen truck stemming from an argument with his girlfriend late Tuesday night.
Investigators said Jones was mad at his current girlfriend, Kimberly Kerr, for talking to his ex-girlfriend. Police said during the argument, he stole a pickup truck on West Long Avenue in New Castle and ran into Kerr’s and another person’s car.
Officers also said Jones then tried to strike Kerr and her two young daughters with the truck before they ran into nearby woods to escape.
Kerr immediately called police; they spotted Jones a short time later and attempted to pull him over. Investigators said they followed Jones through Taylor Township, Wampum, and Ellwood City at a high rate of speed.
Police said that Jones failed to stop at any stop signs and was driving on the wrong side of the road throughout the chase.
When police finally caught up with Jones along Village Drive, they asked him to show his hands and step out of the vehicle. Jones allegedly refused and officers had to administer the taser, according to the report.
Jones faces numerous charges including three counts of attempted homicide, three counts of aggravated assault, three counts of simple assault, three counts of recklessly endangering another person, three counts of harassment, two counts of DUI, theft by unlawful taking, attempting to elude police, and receiving stolen property.
Jones was arraigned Wednesday morning in front of Magistrate Melissa Amode and was placed in the Lawrence County Jail on a $100,000 bond. He is awaiting his preliminary hearing on July 5.
