A man who led police on a multi-county chase after allegedly stealing a school bus in Adams County was arrested Tuesday morning after being found naked in a wooded area.
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Tony Saunder,24, allegedly stole the bus in Abbottstown on Monday evening, and he was spotted by a police officer the following morning around 8 a.m. Authorities confirmed that no children were on the bus then, and the officer who spotted him conducted a traffic stop. Saunders stopped for a moment at the junction of the PA Turnpike but drove away seconds later, as reported by Fox 43.
After driving into Gettysburg Road, officers said Saunders fled on foot near a wooded area and left the bus behind. However, he was found naked on a nearby railroad track and took him into custody.
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Officers who searched the school bus said they found a dead deer carcass on the back seat. While questioned by police, Saunders confessed to stealing the bus and said he crashed a BMW car. He also admitted to placing the dead deer in the back of the bus because he wanted to use the animal as fertilizer. He was charged with fleeing and eluding police.
He also faces several other charges for a separate incident for leading police officers on a separate chase after state troopers conducted a traffic stop.
Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer is a serious criminal offense in Pennsylvania. Under Pennsylvania law, a person commits this offense if they operate a vehicle and, with the intent to elude or flee a police officer who is in a vehicle and who has given a visual and audible signal to stop, they willfully fail or refuse to bring their vehicle to a stop.
The penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer in Pennsylvania can be severe, depending on the circumstances of the offense. For example, if the offense results in a death, the defendant can face a felony of the second degree, which can result in up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. If the offense results in serious bodily injury, the defendant can face a felony of the third degree, which can result in up to 7 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Eluding the police, also known as evading arrest, is a serious offense in Pennsylvania. It is illegal to intentionally flee or attempt to elude a police officer who is attempting to stop a vehicle, whether it be a car, motorcycle, or any other type of motor vehicle.
Under Pennsylvania law, eluding a police officer is considered a second-degree misdemeanor. If convicted, the offender may face a fine of up to $500 and a possible jail sentence of up to two years. In addition, the offender’s driver’s license may be suspended for up to six months.