TAYLOR — A Scranton man initially refused to stop for police when they spotted him driving on South Main Street in Taylor on Tuesday, police say.
Once in custody, he allegedly attempted to flee on foot.
Michael Coyne, 28, of 1258 Watson St., is charged with fleeing from officers, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.
Here is what police say happened:
At about 9:30 p.m., Taylor borough police were on patrol in the 1300 block of South Main Street when they spotted Coyne in a Honda SUV without a valid registration.
Officers followed the vehicle to the 1100 block of Loomis Avenue, where they attempted to make a traffic stop. Instead of stopping, Coyne made a right turn onto Schrader Street and continued onto Reynolds Avenue at a high rate of speed.
Coyne finally pulled over in the 1200 block of Reynolds Avenue, almost striking a parked car as he pulled to the side of the road.
Officer David Graham approached the vehicle and asked Coyne why he hadn’t stopped. He responded, “This is out,” pointing to his inspection sticker.
He also said he was almost off probation and didn’t want to “ruin it.”
As Coyne stepped from the SUV, officers could smell alcohol on his breath. They noted that his eyes were red and glassy.
When officers attempted to place Coyne under arrest, he pulled away and walked toward the driver’s side door of his vehicle.
Coyne continued to resist and officers had to hold him against the front of the police vehicle to get him in handcuffs.
Coyne repeatedly told officers he had a marijuana joint in the glove box.
He said he hadn’t been drinking and driving, but instead had been “smoking and driving.”
When Officer Matthew McDonald opened the back the door of the patrol car to explain paperwork to Coyne, he attempted to push past McDonald and flee.
Police took Coyne to the ground and restrained him.
He was unable to satisfactorily complete a field sobriety test.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. on April 10 before District Judge Sean McGraw.