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Police chase suspect appears in Adams County court

A man charged with slamming into police cars during a high-speed chase appeared before an Adams County judge Wednesday afternoon. The October 20th chase started...

A man charged with slamming into police cars during a high-speed chase appeared before an Adams County judge Wednesday afternoon.

The October 20th chase started with a traffic stop in Straban Township on Route 15 and ended in a wreckage of police cars. At the preliminary hearing, troopers testified Michael Velez of New York led them on the chase at speeds of more than 100 MPH, crossing the median of Route 15 to change directions.

As police tried to box the suspect in, he rammed into two police cars trying to get away.

"It's really one of the worst vehicle chases I've ever seen and the way he drives, the speed at which he drove and ultimately the way he rammed the police cars at the end, it is a wonder that they're not killed or seriously injured," says assistant District Attorney Brian Sinnett.

Velez's attorney says ramming the cars may not have been intentional, because on of the troopers fired shots.

"That's something we're going to be looking into," says assistant public defender Jason Pudleiner.

Velez is facing charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and a felony count of escape, among others.

The assistant District Attorney says more charges could be forthcoming. Velez is being held at Adams County Prison and he will be arraigned on December 18th.

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