A Cherry Tree area man is in custody after a vehicle theft in Cambria County led to a police pursuit across county lines into Clearfield County.
State police say 26-year-old Hayden David Hoyt of Burnside Township faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including theft, receiving stolen property, fleeing police, firearms violations, drug possession, and cruelty to animals for the incident on January 12th.
Troopers say the incident began Monday morning at a Sheetz in Patton Borough, where a woman reported her SUV stolen after leaving it unlocked and running while she went inside. Her dog, cash, and a handgun were inside the vehicle at the time.
With help from OnStar, troopers located the SUV in Clearfield County. When police attempted a traffic stop, the driver fled, leading officers onto snow- and ice-covered roads. The vehicle spun out and struck a patrol unit before troopers used a PIT maneuver to end the pursuit.
Police say the woman’s dog was recovered unharmed, along with her cash and firearm. Troopers also report Hoyt was linked to a second stolen vehicle taken from Cambria County the day before.
Hoyt was arraigned and committed to the Cambria County Prison after bail was set at $30,000.
