Police: Man used motorcycle stolen from West Virginia sheriff’s office in Fayette County chase
A West Virginia man is being held without bail after allegedly leading police on a chase through Fayette County on a stolen motorcycle from the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department.
According to court documents, around 3:30 a.m. on Friday, state police saw Nathaniel Harris, 39, of Morgantown, driving a 1994 Honda NightHawk with a fake license plate on Route 40 in North Union Township.
When they tried to stop Harris, police said, he fled from them at speeds between 45 and 60 mph, weaving in and out of lanes and nearly hitting several vehicles.
Harris finally stopped in the parking lot of 2434 Pittsburgh Road in Franklin Township after hitting a police car, according to court paperwork. Police said they needed to use “substantial force” to arrest Harris, whom they said would not put his hands behind his back.
When police ran the vehicle identification number on the motorcycle, they found it was stolen from the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department in West Virginia, the complaint stated.
Court paperwork also indicated police found suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in Harris’ possession.
He was arraigned Friday by District Judge Nathan Henning, who denied bail, citing that Harris being a threat to self or others, a flight risk and has continually engaged in criminal activity. The online docket also noted that Harris has a criminal case in West Virginia.
According to online court records in West Virginia, Harris was charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance without a valid prescription in February. He was released on a $3,000 signature bond, and a plea hearing is scheduled in July in Monongalia County.
In the Fayette County case, Harris is charged with receiving stolen property, fleeing or eluding police, driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence. He also faces 34 traffic citations.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for next month.