NEW CASTLE, PA — A 21-year-old man faces felony charges after allegedly leading police on a pursuit while operating an ATV through city streets on Feb. 22, 2026.
New Castle Police Department officers responded to a complaint about an ATV on Canyon Street at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Officers located Matthew Rodgers of Pennsylvania operating the ATV, according to police.
Rodgers refused to stop despite the presence of marked police cruisers with activated emergency lights and sirens, police said.
He led officers on a pursuit through a portion of the city before it was terminated.
Police said Rodgers was known to officers due to previous interactions related to ATVs.
Earlier that day, Rodgers was involved in a separate incident where he allegedly damaged a vehicle by kicking its side mirror while it was stopped at a red light, according to police.
A search warrant was obtained for Rodgers’ residence and executed later that evening.
During the search, officers recovered the clothing Rodgers allegedly wore during the pursuit.
Officers eventually located the ATV, which was stored at another location, police said.
Rodgers was arrested and charged with fleeing and eluding, a third-degree felony, as well as multiple summary traffic violations.
He will face additional charges related to the earlier vehicle damage incident, police said.
Rodgers was arraigned before Magistrate Amodie on Feb. 23, 2026.
