Pocono News Section

Kidnapping & Police Chase in Columbia County

Kidnapping & Police Chase in Columbia County - Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 10:18PM EST

BERWICK, COLUMBIA COUNTY - Several people are facing charges after a bar fight, kidnapping and police chase early Sunday morning in Columbia County.

The situation started to play out around 3:00 AM. Berwick police say it all started with a fight where one person was hurt at JJ's Bar on Second Street. Cops say Tyreese King and Rodrick Edmundson were upset over the assault and kidnapped two women from a home on North Mulberry Street.

"We believe that the kidnapping was in response to the bar fight. We're suspecting at this time it might have been a retalitory move," police chief Frank Brennan said.

Police spotted the car the suspects were in and gave chase, but it crashed into a home at the intersection of Routes 93 & 487 in Orangeville. Hours later, the damage was still evident and neighbors were still in shock.

"I was upstairs laying in bed and I just heard squeaking tires and a big boom," Bryanna Gearhart said.

No one in the house was hurt.

"When we came downstairs, we heard cops yelling 'Get Down' and we were like 'Wow!' It was pretty different, not something you expect," Gearhart said.

Police say a third suspect was also involved in the bizarre string of events. Anthony Snyder is still in the hospital with a broken leg. As for the two women who were kidnapped, they were not hurt.

"They weren't in the car. They got pushed out before that, but the patrol didn't know that," Chief Brennan said.

All three of the suspects are facing kidnapping, burglary and assault charges. Police say more arrests are expected.