Stolen vehicle

A 23-year-old male, of Allentown, was taken into custody after he allegedly took a box cargo truck from a local hospital and led police officers from several area jurisdictions as well as state troopers on a chase April 15, according to Macungie police and Pennsylvania State Police Fogelsville.

The chase ended in Hereford Township, Berks County.

State police described the vehicle as a Hospital Central Services box truck taken from the hospital 9:25 a.m. The vehicle was reportedly GPS tracked by the company.

An incident report provided to The Press by Macungie police details the following:

Police were notified after the truck, taken from St. Luke’s Hospital at 17th and Hamilton streets, Allentown, was reported as last seen southbound on Trexlertown Road near Pennsylvania Route 100.

The truck was spotted by Macungie police on State Route 100 near the Turkey Hill Minit Market.

At the intersection of East Main and Chestnut streets, the truck turned left onto North Chestnut Street/Buckeye Road and headed east toward Emmaus with Macungie police following the truck.

Emmaus police, alerted by Macungie police, arrived to assist, including preparing for a traffic stop in the area of Buckeye Road and Chestnut Street, Upper Milford Township.

A traffic stop by police was attempted in the area of the Trivet Restaurant, 4102 Chestnut St.

The motorist allegedly did not stop and nearly struck an Emmaus police vehicle. Macungie police attempted to stop the truck at the intersection. The motorist allegedly cut through the parking lot and hit a parked vehicle before allegedly attempting to hit a Macungie police patrol vehicle.

The truck proceeded south on Chestnut Street and State Route 100, “failing to yield to the convoy of police units,” according to police.

Near the intersection of State Route 100 and Seisholtzville Road, two Pennsylvania State Police vehicles partially blocked the road to stop the vehicle. The truck allegedly went through the roadblock. A state police vehicle then maneuvered in front of the truck.

The truck crashed in the area of the 9000 block of State Route 100 south, according to Macungie police.

Mechanics Plus towed the box truck from the scene, according to Pennsylvania State Police Fogelsville.

Responding agencies also included Upper Macungie Township police, Bally Community Ambulance, Alburtis police and Pennsylvania State Police Skippack barracks.

According to Macungie police, speeds did not exceed 60 mph and the truck did not travel outside its lane or attempt to strike or endanger civilian vehicles during the pursuit.

Hospital Central Services Inc. is located at 2171 28th St. SW, Allentown, according to the company website.