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RICE TWP. — A Mountain Top man was jailed on charges he initiated a pursuit with township police who say he was under the influence of marijuana while riding a bicycle late Wednesday night.
The incident began on Church Road just before 10 p.m. when an officer spotted Richard Joseph Devers, 29, of Alberdeen Road, riding a bicycle toward on-coming traffic.
According to the criminal complaint:
Devers crossed in front of the cruiser when the officer noticed the bicycle did not have a red reflective plate.
The officer stopped Devers who placed his bicycle on the ground asking if he was being detained.
When Devers was told he was being detained, Devers said “(expletive) you,” got onto his bicycle and rode away initiating a pursuit.
Police said Devers turned onto Henry Drive, Prospect Road and Blythburn Road failing to obey several stop signs before turning into Valley Stream Park. During the pursuit, Devers kept yelling, (expletive) you,” and reached into his waistband area several times, the complaint says.
Devers left the main road in the park and rode toward a fence. Devers got off his bicycle and reached into his coat.
The officer commanded Devers to show his hands and warned he would be stunned by a Taser.
Devers was stunned when he refused to show his hands to the officer.
Police said they found 41 grams of marijuana packaged for sale, contraband and $212 cash in Devers’ pockets, the complaint says.
Devers told police he smoked marijuana before he began riding the bicycle.
Police said Devers refused to submit to a blood test.
Devers was arraigned Thursday by District Judge Thomas Malloy in Luzerne County Central Court on charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, escape, driving under the influence, operation on shoulder of travel lane, violating light regulations and passing through two stop signs. He was jailed at the county correctional facility for lack of $25,000 bail.