Man Who Skipped Court After High-Speed Chase Found In FL: Police

POLK COUNTY, FL — A Sharpsburg man who skipped his court date after leading authorities on a high-speed chase and crashing into two police cars was captured in Florida, the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

Earlier this week, county authorities asked for the public's help locating 37-year-old Hermas Craddock after he violated his bond and failed to appear at a preliminary hearing connected to the April 9 chase.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by WPXI, Craddock was arrested after authorities said he led police on a high-speed chase that began in O’Hara Township and ended in Pittsburgh.

During the chase, authorities said Craddock crashed into two police cars, ran stop signs, and reached speeds of 80 mph in a 25 mph zone, WPXI reported.

Police said they also found a gun Craddock reportedly tossed from the car during the chase, the complaint said.

Craddock was charged with more than 60 counts following the pursuit, according to online court records, including assault of a law enforcement officer, reckless endangerment, driving under the influence, and reckless driving.

According to the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, authorities initially tracked Craddock to North Carolina before receiving a tip that he was in the Orlando area.

Police said Craddock was then located in the Tampa area after surveillance at a townhome complex led Polk County sheriff's deputies to find Craddock inside one of the residences.

Craddock was arrested shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday, police said.