Robbery Suspect Caught After High Speed Chase 

AVIS – A Williamsport man has been taken into custody by police who believe he may have been responsible for a series of recent robberies, including a Jan. 18 stick-up at the Puff Express on Bellefonte Avenue in Lock Haven.

Authorities arrested Steven Long of Williamsport after two high speed chases early today, one of them in Clinton County, his apprehension in the wake of an armed robbery at the Minit Mart in Jersey Shore.

The police report said Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police at 12:37 a.m. today responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Jersey Shore Minit Mart. Tiadaghton police observed the suspect vehicle a short time later and gave chase. The suspect vehicle fled north on Route 220 to Queneshuckney Road and McGill Hollow Road where police tried to stop it. Police said Long crashed his vehicle and escaped into the woods. A search of the area was conducted without success.

A vehicle was reported stolen on Queneshuckney Road, later seen in Lock Haven a short time later and another police chase followed. The stolen vehicle headed north on Route 220 where, police said, a device was used to deflate all but one tire. The vehicle continued north on Route 220 on its rims before crashing into a guide rail at the Avis exit, Long taken into custody.

Police said Long was treated for various injuries at the Williamsport Hospital and detained in the Lycoming County Prison on a state parole detainer. They said the Jersey Shore robbery “appeared to be the same as in previous robberies.” These included the Jan. 18 heist at the Puff Express in Lock Haven.

Police departments involved in today’s early morning robbery and chases included Montoursville and Lamar state police; Tiadaghton Valley regional police; Williamsport police; Lock Haven police; Pine Creek Township police; plus officers from South Williamsport, Montoursville, Duboistown and the state parole department.