MOUNT CARMEL — Local police say two Valley men are facing dozens of charges after speeding away from police in a truck containing 31 goats and sheep. The 34-mile, high-speed chase began Thursday morning after police received a complaint about a truck containing noisy farm animals parked in a residential area.
Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush tells WKOK, when he arrived two men got in the truck and took off, going through red lights. Spike strips were used to slow the truck down. 36-year-old Jarrett Castelonia of Danville and 25-year-old Peter Birster of Shamokin were taken into custody on more than 70 charges. Those charges include aggravated assault and animal cruelty. Some animals died.
Chief Hollenbush says he doesn’t know why the men ran. Castelonia owns the vehicle and the animals.
