A dirt bike driver who taunted an Allentown police officer to chase him dragged a different officer who tried to arrest him, city police said.
Kason Torruella got away, but a few days later he posted a cellphone video of the incident to his Facebook page, police said.
Torruella, of the 100 block of Lehigh Street in Allentown, was identified and then arrested; he is charged with three counts of reckless endangerment, as well as escape, disorderly conduct and three summary traffic violations.
The 18-year-old Torruella was sent to Lehigh County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.
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Allentown police said on Monday night, Torruella pulled up next to an officer in a police cruiser on Second Street, and asked if the officer would chase him.
The officer declined, but Torruella followed the cop to the American Plaza off of American Parkway, police said. When the officer got out and started walking to the Dunkin’ Donuts, Torruella allegedly drove onto the sidewalk and began to yell profanities to him.
The officer repeated he wasn’t going to chase Torruella, and was going to get some coffee. The cop went inside but Torruella waited, and then motioned for the officer to come out. The officer called for a second office to assist him, then went outside to speak with Torruella.
Torruella was upset about the recent arrest of his cousin and, when the first officer would walk toward him, Torruella would drive away, police said.
Torruella then drove onto the sidewalk along Hamilton Street, forcing pedestrians to get out of his way, police said.
Torruella saw the second cop arrive, cursed the first officer and sped away, police said. Torruella was seen popping wheelies on Hamilton Street.
The second officer reported he drove into the shopping plaza’s parking lot, and Torruella began talking to him. Torruella’s bike stalled and the second officer got out of cruiser and tried to arrest, police said.
The officer grabbed Torruella, who able to restart his dirt bike and then drove off, dragging the officer through the parking lot, according to police. The officer had injuries to his knee and ankle.
Torruella sped away on Hamilton Street, but on Tuesday, police found a cellphone video of the incident posted on Torruella’s Facebook page and the first officer identified him as the dirt bike driver, police said.
Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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