Police: Philadelphia man blows red light, refuses to stop claiming he didn’t feel safe in downtown Mahanoy mid-afternoon

MAHANOY CITY – A Philadelphia man is facing a misdemeanor flight charge after police say he illegally passed two cars and ran a red light in downtown Mahanoy City and claimed he didn’t feel safe being stopped there at mid-afternoon.

Donald Jordan, 41, of 661 Garland Street, is facing a misdemeanor fleeing or attempting to elude an officer charge along with two summary traffic violations.

According to the criminal complaint filed Monday by Mahanoy City Police Patrolman Matthew Williams, the officer was on patrol around 4:30pm on North Main Street approaching Centre Street.

A man on a newer model Triumph motorcycle was travelling in front of him and, as the light turned red, the bike passed two stopped vehicles on the right, ran the red, and turned left to head east on East Centre Street.

Williams activated the patrol cars lights to pass the two stopped vehicles and catch up to the bike, attempting a traffic stop in the 500 block of East Centre near Herman’s Park

The bike, ridden by Jordan, did not stop. Williams activated the siren and pulled aside Jordan, who ignored motions for him to pull over.

Jordan continued to ride alongside the police car until he was boxed in and had nowhere to go in the 700 block of East Centre near Kaier Mansion.

Jordan claimed he had his four-ways on and did not feel safe stopping. The area he was being stopped includes a public park, several businesses, and a church.

The motorcycle was still running at the time and Williams ordered Jordan off the bike. The man refused multiple times, Williams said, and was brought off the bike and onto the ground.

A struggle ensued to put Jordan into handcuffs and backup was requested. At that point, a Citizens Fire Co. engine was passing by and stopped to assist Williams until backup arrived from Mahanoy Township and West Mahanoy Township.

Jordan claimed that there was no reason for the stop and that Williams would be arrested for the incident before later admitting to the traffic violations, while claiming he did not have to yield to the officer because he did not feel safe.

A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 3.

The post Police: Philadelphia man blows red light, refuses to stop claiming he didn’t feel safe in downtown Mahanoy mid-afternoon first appeared on The Shenandoah Sentinel .