Man captured in Crawford County after vehicle pursuit

The Venango County Sheriff’s Department and Franklin state police were involved in a pursuit of a vehicle on Wednesday morning, traveling from northern Venango County into Crawford County, according to a state police news release.

Police said the pursuit ended when the driver was taken into custody in Crawford County.

Police said the incident happened at about 8:30 a.m. after the sheriff’s department tried to serve a warrant on an unidentified man. The man began to flee by vehicle along Route 427 and onto Route 27.

The sheriff’s department pursued the man, calling in state police to assist, according to police.

State police units from Corry and Meadville also were alerted for assistance.

Police said the man stopped his car at one point but refused to exit the vehicle when told to by police.

The troopers then exited their patrol cars to take the driver into custody, but he again tried to drive away as they approached his car, police said.

Police said an officer then fired a gun, taking aim at a tire to prevent further flight.

Police took the man into custody after a short pursuit that ended in a driveway.

There were no injuries.

The pursuit was not a high-speed chase, according to Franklin state police community service officer Michelle McGee.

An investigation into the incident is being handled by state police in Meadville and Erie, in conjunction with Crawford County District Attorney Francis J. Schultz, according to the news release.