Man charged with ATV theft in Downingtown

While many police departments were juggling fender-benders and disabled vehicles, a robbery and chase got added to Downingtown's wintry mix Thursday.

Officers responded about 2:15 a.m. to the 400 block of Manor Avenue for a report of a break-in, Police Chief James R. McGowan said. A homeowner had heard noise and found two intruders in his garage, one of whom had a gun, then quickly retreated and called 911, McGowan said.

Police arrived just as the two men were leaving the driveway on an all-terrain vehicle stolen from the garage, McGowan said. Police followed the ATV for about a mile and a half on the Route 30 bypass before it left at Route 340, where both men jumped off and fled, he said.

The suspected driver, Albert Edward Jr., 22, of Coatesville, was apprehended a short time later. He was arraigned and remanded to Chester County Prison after failing to post $75,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Feb. 7, McGowan said. Police were still searching for the second man, he said.

McGowan's officers were well-equipped to give chase.

"Fortunately, we have two four-wheel-drive vehicles, which is what you need at a time like this," he said.