Lansdale Police on Monday afternoon released a statement on the incident that led to a high speed pursuit and near in the overnight hours of Saturday morning.
After contacting the registered owner of the maroon Chrysler 300M that authorities towed from the manhunt scene at the north end of Squirrel Lane, authorities learned that the car had been stolen by Robert Copeland, 39. The owner of the stolen Chrysler knew Copeland, who was found to have an outstanding arrest warrant in Venango County, in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Copeland was arrested later Saturday after authorities located him at his apartment in a building in the 700 block of N. Valley Forge Road.
Copeland initially eluded authorities after he crashed the stolen vehicle into a road sign on Squirrel Lane shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday. Police brought in a K-9 unit to help search for Copeland after he was seen running into a nearby alley, but his trail was lost near the intersection of Poplar Street and Edgemont Street.
Police successfully contacted the owner of the Chrysler "several hours later" on Saturday, the department said in its statement. The owner provided police with Copeland's current address. Upon their arrival, Copeland attempted to leave the premises but was apprehended on the grounds of the apartment complex and positively identified as the driver involved in the earlier pursuit.
Copeland was being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 bail. Police said he is charged with several counts of theft, fleeing and eluding, and "numerous traffic violations."
