The man responsible for a high-speed motorcycle chase through downtown Bridgeport turned himself in to law enforcement at the Bridgeport Municipal Complex. Joseph Michael Moore, a 30-year old city resident, was arrested and charged with a felony for Monday's incident where he was reported to have reached speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour.

 

"He was charged with fleeing," said Lt. M.J.Lemley. " ... (Moore's) lawyer came in this afternoon and advised that (Moore) would like to turn himself in and was wondering what the process  would be. After I advised him that if he would be here before 3 p.m. we could have him in front of a magistrate today, (his  lawyer) was able to talk to Joe Mike and get him in here."

 

Moore was then processed after his arrival at the station located inside the Municipal Complex and ironically along the same path of Main Street where Monday's chase saw its early stages. He was taken by Bridgeport Police to the Harrison County Courthouse where he was to be arraigned by a magistrate.

 

Lemley said the situation involving Moore surrendering to Bridgeport Police went off without incident. The fleeing charge, Lemley added, is a felony.

 

“We don’t have an actual speed, but it’s safe to say that the motorcycle, particularly when heading down Bridgeport Hill (on U.S. Route 50) was well in excess of 90 miles per hour,” said Lemley earlier today when police were still looking for him.

 

Shortly after 2 p.m. Monday, Moore took off after Officer G.T. Collins approached him in the parking lot of Classic Car Stereo on Bridgeport Hill. Collins and other police had been informed of multiple erratic driving complaints, according to Chief John Walker.Walker said Moore took off at that time and raced through downtown Bridgeport and beyond. Eventually, he either wrecked or laid down his bike at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 and Route 76. 

 

Moore did not appear to have any visible injuries today as he was led out of the police station with his hands cuffed at 3 p.m. He also was not limping.

 

After he was off of the motorcycle, Moore headed into the wooded area around the intersection. Despite several hours of searching - including the use of Clarksburg's K-9 unit - Moore could not be located. The episode came to an end with today's arrest.

 

Click HERE for yesterday’s story on his identity being released. Click HERE for the original story. 

 

Editor's Note: Lt. M.J. Lemley, background, holds the door for Joseph Michael Moore, while Sgt. C.S. Carpenter, foreground, assists.