Arnold resident in custody after nearly striking a police officer during high-speed chase

A 21-year-old Arnold man is in custody after he came close to hitting a police officer with a car during a high-speed car chase Monday night.

In a criminal complaint, police said New Kensington police officer Kevin Hess observed a vehicle being driven Robert Maxwell Vining Jr. driving erratically and strike a parked vehicle and nearly strike a hillside.

Hess and another officer began chasing Vinning. Speeds during the chase exceeded 80 mph at times, the complaint said.  Vinny lost control of his vehicle while going around a curve in Lower Burrell.

At that point, three women got out of the car and police told Vining to shut his car off.  Instead of complying, police said in the complaint that he pushed on the accelerator and nearly struck Hess before speeding off.

Police located Vining a short time later at Woodpeckers Pub & Grub in Upper Burrell.  He told a police officer “I’m sorry, I’m drunk and high,” according to the criminal complaint.

He also told police that he  consumed alcohol and used marijuana and cocaine prior to driving.

The three women were released and were not charged.

He is currently in the Westmoreland County Prison after failing to post $75,000 bond and faces a Jan. 17 preliminary hearing.

Terri Hill can be contacted at terri.hill@grantstreetnews.com