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Police: Woman had 2 kids in car during high-speed chase in York County

HELLAM TOWNSHIP, Pa.–One person is in custody and another on the run after a high-speed chase involving a stolen vehicle in York County on Saturday. Two c...
DeliseeMelendez

HELLAM TOWNSHIP, Pa.–One person is in custody and another on the run after a high-speed chase involving a stolen vehicle in York County on Saturday. Two children were inside the vehicle during the chase, according to Pennsylvania State Police reports.

It all unfolded around 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 27 when state police troopers attempted to pull over the driver of a black Honda Civic for suspicion of DUI along Route 30 in Hellam Township.

The driver initially pulled off onto the shoulder but then fled from troopers, reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour and weaving in and out of traffic, according to the criminal complaint.

Spike strips were deployed at the Centerville Road exit and disabled the car as it crossed over into Lancaster County. The pursuit covered approximately 12 miles, according to court documents.

When the vehicle came to a stop on the shoulder, police say the driver ran from the car. Troopers discovered 31-year-old Delisse Rasario Melendez inside the vehicle along with her two children. Police say the children were in the backseat, not belted or in child safety seats.

The vehicle was reported stolen out of Allentown, according to state police reports.

Melendez denied knowing the man who ran from authorities, despite photographic evidence recovered at the scene showing them together, police said. Investigators found photographs of Melendez and the fleeing driver kissing at a Chuck E. Cheese which were dated Aug. 26, 2016, court documents state.

Melendez denied knowing the man, claiming that she needed a ride and the man picked her up , according to court documents.

Melendez was arrested and is charged with receiving stolen property, endangering the welfare of children and violations of child passenger restraint systems. She was taken to York County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Melendez is from Puerto Rico and has been living in Lancaster County with her grandmother for one month, according to court records.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 22.

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