Big Rig Driver Captured After Wild Shoot-Out-the-Tires Chase

The search for big rig driver who Pennsylvania State Police called "dangerous" after he eluded troopers during a wild chase on a busy area roadway ended this morning with him safely in custody.

Police say Harold Davis Jr. was behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler that led police on a pursuit after troopers figured out Davis -- who is from Philadelphia -- was a wanted man in another state.

Davis was transporting cars on a big rig down Interstate-176 near Morgantown, Berks County, Pa. Thursday morning when state police stopped him for a random truck inspection. That's when they discovered he was wanted for robbery in Florida.

Police say troopers ordered Davis to leave the truck, but he refused, rolling up his window. State Police say a trooper then broke the driver's side window with his baton as another officer Tasered Davis, which officials said had no effect on the man.

Davis then took off, with a trooper still on the truck, hitting a state police cruiser that was blocking the truck.

Police pursued him on the north side of I-176. They tried to stop Davis by shooting the tires on his tractor-trailer so they'd go flat. Another driver videotaped the wild scene with his phone and emailed it to us.

Davis crashed into a guardrail then bolted from the cab into the woods. The trooper was not hurt.

Later in the afternoon, State Trooper David Boehm said police had spoken to Davis by phone and that he told them he would come out to a major road and surrender. By nightfall, that had not happened and a manhunt continued with police shutting down roads as they continued the search saying that Davis should be considered "armed and dangerous."

The manhunt ended nearly 21 hours after it began when police were called to the Chestnut Hill Archery Club in Morgan Township after a member saw a pillow in a bathroom where a window was kicked in. Officers didn't find Davis in the bathroom but a Caernarvon Township Police officer did spot him as he was driving out onto Route 10, according to state police.

Davis was ducked down behind a guard rail. The officer gave chase as Davis ran into the woods. After a lengthy foot chase, the officer arrested Davis.

Davis was taken to Reading Hospital for evaluation after complaining of chest pains. He was charged with various counts including aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest, according to authorities.

No police were hurt during the capture.

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