New York man on dirtbike leads East Union police on chase
PHOTO COURTESY / EAST UNION POLICE - Billy J. Quirk, of Centereach, NY.
SHEPPTON – A Long Island man is in Schuylkill County Prison after East Union Township police say he led them on a chase into the Humboldt Industrial Park earlier today.
Township police say they were called to 77 East Brandon Street in Sheppton just before noon for reports of a man on a motorcycle trespassing.
Township Police Chief TJ Rentschler responded and was advised en route that the man had fled west on Brandon Street towards Center Street, Route 924, the main road of the village.
Rentschler spotted the man, later identified as Billy Jon Quirk, 28, of Centereach, New York, on a black and orange KTM Dirtbike, driving on a back street at a “high rate of speed,” at which point Rentschler activated his lights and sirens.
Rentschler alleges in his criminal complaint that Quirk then accelerated towards Brandon and Center Streets, running the stop sign and turning northbound towards Humboldt.
Police gave chase, as Quirk crossed over the double yellow line several times in the village at speeds near 85mph, while looking back at officers.
Quirk continued, passing the first entrance to Humboldt Industrial Park and Eagle Rock. He made a right-hand turn at Maplewood Drive, entering the park, followed by a right onto Green Mountain Road.
Police said he attempted to go off the road, at which point he lost control of the bike. Before he could right the bike, Rentschler exited his patrol car and tackled Quirk, taking him into custody after a brief struggle.
Back at the station, Rentschler spoke to the complainant, whose property was posted “no trespassing,” who said that he and others were at the garage of the property when Quirk rode through the pushes and hit a ditch.
The complainant confronted Quirk about trespassing, and he claimed he was lost before fleeing through the yard aboard the motorcycle.
Quirk told police he was scared, as the property owners were armed and had said “you’re on the wrong property and aren’t going anywhere.” When asked why he didn’t stop for police and report that, he had no answer. He added that he didn’t know the area, and had come from New York to stay at the Montfort.
Quirk was arraigned today by on-call Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont, on charges of fleeing or eluding police, trespassing by motor vehicle, reckless driving, careless driving, speeding, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, among others.
Quirk was committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $25,000 straight cash bail.
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