A Hollidaysburg man is facing charges after allegedly initiating a police chase, almost two months after leaving a residence that was under police surveillance for suspected drug activity.
According to court documents, Joshua David Shepherd, aged 45, is currently charged with possession with intent to deliver, as well as several other charges linked to a police pursuit where he eluded officers. In addition, he is also facing charges of burglary, theft, and resisting arrest. In total, Shepherd is facing nine felony charges, five misdemeanor charges, and 11 summary offenses in relation to the incident that occurred on July 29.
During our initial investigation, we gathered information indicating that the police were conducting surveillance on a residence located on 32nd Street, which was known to be involved in drug-related activities. The primary suspect, Todd Pensyl, a 52-year-old individual, was believed to reside at this location. While monitoring the premises, law enforcement officials observed a white Mercedes leaving the property, and later identified Shepherd as the driver.
During the traffic stop, Shepherd initially pulled into a parking lot but quickly accelerated at a high speed, evading the police. The complaint stated that Shepherd managed to lose the police while driving over the mountain on Frankstown Road. Eventually, he was apprehended, and during the arrest, he confessed to buying drugs from Pensyl. Furthermore, Shepherd mentioned that a woman in the passenger seat had consumed a substantial amount of cocaine and methamphetamine, specifically an entire eight-ball.
Police arrived at the residence on the 9000 block of Old Route 22 in Hollidaysburg shortly after the chase, as stated in the recent criminal complaint for Shepherd. Upon entering the residence, they encountered Erin Brumbaugh, a woman who was standing next to a basement door. Brumbaugh allegedly informed the police that Shepherd was in the basement.
Court documents reveal that Brumbaugh was apprehended after the homeowner confirmed that neither he nor his accomplice had permission to be inside the residence.
It was later found out that Shepherd did not have the owner’s permission to use the Mercedes during the chase. The owner informed the police that he had left his home for work on July 29, and upon his return, he discovered that both the Mercedes and its keys were missing. Interestingly, just before he could report the stolen car, the police contacted him.
Shepherd reportedly informed the police that he had purchased the heroin and fentanyl from Pensyl. In addition, he revealed that Pensyl intended to relocate to the Harrisburg region in the coming days.
During the chase, Shepherd casually mentioned to the police in the charges that he had reached speeds of 160 miles per hour while in central booking.
