Pennsylvania Man Charged With Eluding, Drug Possession

A Pennsylvania man is facing drug charges after he allegedly led officers on a vehicle chase last week.

Thomas Spinola, 35, of Morrisville, Penn., was charged with eluding and possession of a controlled dangerous substance after he allegedly fled from police following an attempted traffic stop.

At 2:43 p.m. on Dec. 9, South Brunswick Police Officers William Merkler and George Morgan were in an unmarked vehicle for a burglary surveillance detail in Kendall Park when they saw a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse driving slowly on Hastings Road. The officers activated their lights and siren and attempted to pull the car over as it turned on New Road.

The Mitsubishi then accelerated and attempted to flee from the officers, who  ceased their chase of the vehicle when it approached Route 1 due to safety concerns, according to police.

A few minutes later police located the Mitsubishi in a parking lot off Wynwood Drive, about a half-mile away from where the car was last seen. The vehicle was subsequently impounded and police obtained a search warrant.

During the search of the vehicle, officers allegedly found an undisclosed controlled dangerous substance, police said.

Police were able to identify Spinola as the alleged driver of the vehicle. Spinola surrendered at 10 p.m. on Dec. 10 at South Brunswick Police Headquarters.

He posted $20,000 bail and was released pending a court appearance.