Burglary suspects lead police on high-speed chase, crash into cruiser

BUTLER COUNTY, Pa. — Police arrested two men accused of burglarizing a Butler County house and then leading police on a high-speed chase as they tried to get away.

Authorities said Doug Wetzel and Tom Snyder broke into a house near Chicora and stole jewelry and silver. The homeowner came home as the two men were leaving and called 911.

State Police Lt. Eric Hermick said officers chased the suspects’ car as it tried to get away.

“They were going very high speeds, about 70 or 80 mph. Because of the road conditions, we were going 40 to 50,” Hermick said.

According to police, the suspects’ car eventually crashed near a creek and officers thought the chase was over. However, they tried to ram into the police cruiser to get away.

The criminal complaint said Wetzel admitted to everything, and told authorities that he knew police officers were chasing him but he chose not to stop.

“He put us at risk, and he put the public at risk,” Hermick said.

There is no word on what charges Wetzel and Snyder face.

WPXI