Leechburg man charged with burglary, trespassing after overnight police chase

A Leechburg man faces numerous criminal charges after a police pursuit early Monday that spanned from Lower Burrell to Leechburg.

Lower Burrell police charged Robert James Yakovich Jr., 43, with felony charges of burglary, criminal trespassing, evading arrest and eluding an officer; two misdemeanor DUI charges; and four summary traffic offensesstemming from the incident.

A preliminary hearing for Yakovich is scheduled for April 9 before District Judge Cheryl Peck-Yakopec.

A Lower Burrell police officer was patrolling the city when, at 1:48 a.m. Monday, he saw a motorcycle with no registration plate, operated by Yakovich, heading east on State Route 56 near Puckety Church Road, according to court paperwork.

Yakovich failed to pull over for police and continued driving at speeds as high as 80 to 90 mph, according to a criminal complaint. The pursuit lasted just under 4 miles. Lower Burrell police ended the pursuit as they approached the Bonfire Restaurant along Route 56, the complaint said.

When the motorcycle entered Leechburg, Leechburg police began a pursuit, according to the complaint. The Lower Burrell officer assisted Leechburg police, who found Yakovich on the porch of a home in the 100 block of Main Street and were yelling at him to get on the ground, the complaint said.

Leechburg police deployed a Taser and Yakovich pulled out a Taser probe from his coat, police said. Yakovich ran between houses and ignored police commands to stop, the complaint said. He then ran into the backdoor of the house where he initially was seen and slammed the door shut, police said.

Other police departments arrived on the scene and officers orderedYakovich to exit the residence, according to the complaint. A man who lives next door came outside and told officers “JR” had woken him up and said he was running from the police, the complaint said. His home had access to the house next door. The homeowner also told Yakovich to get out of the house and he granted permission for police to search the house, police said.

Police found Yakovich in the attic and took him into custody, the complaint said. Police said Yakovich told them he had used methamphetamine and heroin earlier in the day. Yakovich said he ran away because he believed he had a warrant for his arrest, the complaint said.