Jeannette man jailed in high-speed pursuit through 2 counties

A Jeannette man was jailed in Armstrong County Saturday after allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase through two counties that ended when the car he was driving crashed into a vehicle that was occupied by a family.

Rasheed Gordon, 28, was arraigned early Sunday on charges of possession with intent to deliver heroin, aggravated assault on a police officer, fleeing and eluding police, DUI, reckless endangerment and traffic offenses, Kiski Township police said. Gordon was ordered held in the Armstrong County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bond, pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 20 before Leechburg District Judge James Andring.

Gordon is accused of fleeing from police when his vehicle was pulled over just before 6 p.m. for a traffic violation on River Road near Glorietta Hill Road, police. In driving from the scene, Gordon allegedly came close to striking an officer with the 2008 Chrysler Sebring he was driving.

Gordon allegedly drove at high speeds through Parks Township and Leechburg in Armstrong County before entering Allegheny Township in Westmoreland County. Once there, police said, Gordon drove through residential yards as he tried to elude authorities, and his car crashed into a vehicle near the intersection of state Route 356 and Melwood Road.

The occupants of the vehicle, who were not identified, suffered minor injuries, police said.

Gordon reportedly fled on foot into nearby woods, but was quickly apprehended with the assistance of a Gilpin Township police dog. He discarded “a large quantity” of heroin during the foot chase, police said.