HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Pittsburgh man is facing charges after State Police say he dumped a large quantity of drugs on the highway during a police chase in Dauphin County last week.
Taj Lesane, 35, is charged with four felonies, eight misdemeanors and six summary traffic offenses in connection to the alleged incident, which occurred at 10:37 p.m. on May 7 on Route 22 West in Harrisburg, according to court documents.
Lesane escaped from police and remains at large, State Police said.
Police said the incident began when a trooper tried to stop Lesane's 2022 Mercedes Benz GLA 45 MG for a registration violation. Lesane allegedly fled from the stop and continued his attempt to escape, even after the pursuing trooper attempted a PIT maneuver and disabled his own vehicle, according to police.
A witness later observed Lesane dumping a large amount of what was later determined to be methamphetamine on the exit ramp of Route 22 West at Route 39 in Susquehanna Township.
He continued to flee and escaped his pursuers, according to police.
Troopers seized the suspected narcotics allegedly left behind by Lesane.
He is charged with felony counts of fleeing or attempting to elude police, two counts of possession with attempt to deliver narcotics, and criminal mischief, two misdemeanor counts of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, two misdemeanor counts of possession of contraband substances, and misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI (impaired substances). He is also charged with six summary traffic violations, according to court records.
