There is a tried and true axiom that says fleeing law enforcement only makes the situation worse, especially if what you’ve been charged with amounts to a singular retail offense.
A wanted Levittown man trying as best he could to avoid going back to jail was taken into custody by Bristol Township Police Friday night.
40-year-old Cruz Gonzalez, wanted by police on felony fleeing and reckless endangerment charges, was taken into custody and arraigned by on-call District Judge David J. Chichilitti, who set bail at 10 percent of $2000.00 which Gonzalez was able to post.
According to police, on July 7, at approximately 4:29 a.m., police were on routine patrol in the area of Emile Road and Green Lane when an officer observed Gonzalez, a known wanted subject, operating a white with red trim 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander.
Knowing Gonzalez had an active warrant, police initiated a lawful traffic stop by activating the marked patrol vehicles’ emergency lights and siren. Rather than yielding, Gonzalez sped away in an attempt to elude police.
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While fleeing, Gonzalez traveled toward the intersection of Green Lane and Mill Creek Road, police said. Gonzalez entered the lane designated for oncoming traffic and nearly collided with an uninvolved motorist while disregarding a steady red traffic signal.
Gonzalez, police said, continued to accelerate and again drove into the lane of opposing traffic, creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to other motorists lawfully using the roadway.
Due to the danger Gonzalez posed to the public, police terminated the pursuit by deactivating the emergency lights and siren and immediately broadcast Gonzalez’s direction of travel over police radio.
Gonzales is due back in court on August 11.
He was originally wanted by police for a single misdemeanor count of retail theft, dating back to late last year, according to court records. Which begs the question, why flee?