Police jail Claysburg man after stolen car chase

CLAYSBURG - A Claysburg man was jailed Tuesday after a chase that brought in police from two counties, Greenfield Township police said.

Kenneth Lee Ritchey, 28, was spotted in a stolen car late Tuesday morning on Dunnings Highway and tried to flee from Officer Bryan Ketner, Chief Ron Givler said. Ketner was investigating a report about the stolen car, which was taken sometime Monday on Bedford Street, Claysburg.

Ritchey and a female passenger were headed toward the Bedford County line when he turned onto Boiling Springs Road, a dirt lane, Givler said. He drove through a field toward King Valley Golf Course and caught the field on fire.

The vehicle became disabled, and the occupants jumped out near the golf course. The woman, whose name was not released, was caught at the golf course. Givler said she is not facing charges.

Ritchey fled into dense woods, Givler said. After a nearly two-hour air and ground search, police were leaving the area when Ketner saw Ritchey in a field near Boiling Spring Road, and Ritchey was taken into custody.

Greenfield Township was assisted by Freedom Township, Martinsburg and Roaring Spring police; state police at Hollidaysburg and Bedford; and the state police helicopter based at the Altoona Blair County Airport.

Ritchey is charged with receiving stolen property, recklessly endangering another person, fleeing or attempting to elude police, criminal mischief, driving under suspension/driving under the influence-related and careless driving.

He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Craig Ormsby and committed to Blair County Prison in lieu of $30,000 cash bail.

The investigation into the stolen car is ongoing, Givler said.