CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. has announced the capture of a wanted fugitive. He identified the fugitive as Matthew Hays, 32, of Philipsburg, who was added to the Clearfield County Fugitive of the Week list Oct. 8.
On Feb. 14, Trooper Scott Sankey of the Pennsylvania State Police, Clearfield Barracks, filed a criminal complaint, charging Hays with driving under the influence of alcohol and careless driving.
An affidavit of probable cause filed by Sankey states that on Jan. 9 while on routine patrol, troopers were dispatched to the scene of an accident on U.S. Route 322 in Pine Township. Upon making contact with the driver of the vehicle at the Clearfield Hospital, Sankey detected signs of impairment and blood testing was conducted.
A preliminary hearing was held March 23, at which time all charges were held to court. On Sept. 6, Hays failed to appear for criminal call and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
In a separate case, Trooper Donald Carnell of the Pennsylvania State Police, Philipsburg barracks, filed a criminal complaint Feb. 21, charging Hays with driving under the influence of alcohol; registration and certificate of title required; driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked; driving on roadways laned for traffic; and careless driving.
An affidavit of probable cause filed by Carnell states that on Feb. 11 while on routine patrol, troopers observed a vehicle swerving on Stumptown Road in Decatur Township. The vehicle was also observed to have an expired registration. Upon making contact with the driver of the vehicle, Carnell detected signs of impairment and requested that Hays perform field sobriety tests. After administering the field sobriety tests, Hays was taken into custody and transported to the Mount Nittany Medical Center for blood testing.
A preliminary hearing was held March 28, at which time all charges were held to court. On Sept. 6, Hays failed to appear for criminal call and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Shaw stated that on Oct. 10, Hays voluntarily surrendered himself to deputies from the Clearfield County Sheriff’s Office. Hays is currently lodged in the Clearfield County Jail.
Shaw thanked the Clearfield County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this case.
Anyone with knowledge of a fugitive’s location is asked to call Clearfield County Crime Stoppers at (800)-376-4700. All calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney Web site at www.ClearfieldDA.org and selecting “Report A Crime.”
