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KINGSTON TWP. — Township police say they found numerous empty alcohol bottles inside a vehicle after arresting the driver on drunken driving charges early Tuesday morning.
John Timothy Premo, 34, was arrested when he stopped near his residence on Payne Lane, a private road in Dallas Township, after he fled officers at about 2:15 a.m., police said.
Premo allegedly failed to stop and led police on a chase for about five miles from South Pioneer Avenue near the Dallas Memorial Highway to his residence.
Police allege Premo had a strong odor of an intoxicating beverage and displayed slurred speech and bloodshot and glossy eyes.
According to the criminal complaint:
Police observed Premo operating a Chevrolet van that failed to obey a stop sign at South Pioneer Avenue and Memorial Highway. Police followed the vehicle along South Pioneer Avenue at a high rate of speed.
Premo abruptly stopped in the roadway and then accelerated, ignoring attempts by police to stop it, the complaint says.
Police said the pursuit passed through residential neighborhoods and ended on Payne Lane, where Premo allegedly abandoned the vehicle and ran away.
An officer stunned Premo with a Taser, causing him to fall to the ground, the complaint says. Premo resisted arrest by struggling with officers, it adds.
Premo was transported to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township for a blood alcohol test.
Premo was arraigned in Luzerne County Central Court on charges o fleeing or attempting to elude police, resisting arrest, driving under the influence and a traffic violation. He was released on $2,500 unsecured bail.