Takeout chicken wing box helps state police identify suspect in Beaver County pursuit

A takeout box of chicken wings helped state police identify a man who fled from a traffic stop in Beaver County earlier this year.

State police on Thursday filed nearly two dozen charges against Michael Richard Doran, 43, of Beaver Falls.

According to state police, a trooper tried to stop Doran on Route 51 in Fallston early on April 19. A reason for the traffic stop was not given.

Doran allegedly fled at a high rate of speed, prompting a pursuit, during which police said Doran hit a tree and made an unsafe pass close to three local police officers and a civilian who were at the scene of an unrelated crash on Route 51.

He then fled from the municipal officers, state police said.

State police later recovered the vehicle. While executing a search warrant, investigators found a white takeout box containing chicken wings in the trunk.

Troopers traced the takeout box and wings to a local restaurant where they obtained Doran’s identity. The restaurant was not named.

Doran’s attorney, Steven Valsamidis, could not immediately be reached for comment Saturday.

Charges against Doran include two counts of felony fleeing and eluding a police officer; four misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person; a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence; and 14 summary traffic related offenses.

Doran was arraigned Thursday and released on a $100,000 unsecured bond. His preliminary hearing before District Judge Edward Howe is scheduled for Oct. 16.