Patton Township police were involved in a vehicle chase after they attempted to stop a 63-year-old woman who is accused of taking $300 worth of merchandise from Wegmans on Dec. 23 without paying.
Police said Deborah Hassinger, of State College, fled in a vehicle after she was confronted by employees at Wegmans who had called the police. An officer observed the suspect in her vehicle on Waddle Road and attempted to stop her by activating his vehicle’s lights and siren. Police said that Hassinger did not stop and instead attempted to elude officers.
They pursued the vehicle on Interstate 99 and then Route 550. A tire deflation device was used on the vehicle as she approached Bellefonte on Route 550, allowing officers to stop her on West Lamb Street in Bellefonte.
She was taken into custody without further incident.
The Pennsylvania State Police, Bellefonte and Spring Township police departments assisted.
Hassinger was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police officers, retail theft, driving under the influence and recklessly endangering another person, as well as three summary driving offenses. She was arraigned before District Judge Allen Sinclair and released on $5,000 unsecured bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 2.
