A Reading man faces numerous charges after police said he led officers on a chase in a stolen luxury car over the weekend that reached well over 100 mph on the West Shore Bypass.
Manuel E. Gomez-Almonte, 24, was committed to Berks County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail following arraignment Sunday before District Judge Steven M. Chieffo in Reading Central Court.
Gomez-Almonte of the 400 block of South Fifth Street was charged with receiving stolen property, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, driving without headlights, and evading arrest or detention on foot. He also faces three hit-and-run-related counts.
According to court records:
On Saturday about 7:40 p.m., Officer Eric Himmel was tracking a stolen 2019 Infiniti sedan that was westbound on Route 422, also known as the West Shore Bypass. After the sedan entered the city, Himmel, who was already positioned along the bypass in a marked patrol vehicle, got behind the sedan and turned on his emergency lights and sirens.
Instead of stopping, the sedan accelerated.
With its headlights off, the car weaved through traffic, reaching speeds of about 110 mph.
The pursuit ended when the sedan driver lost control on Route 12 eastbound after exiting the West Shore. After striking three moving vehicles, Gomez-Almonte abandoned the car but was apprehended by officers a short time later while on foot.
Police found a key to the stolen Infiniti while searching Gomez-Almonte for weapons.
Details about where and when the car was stolen and how Reading police were notified were unavailable.