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ELKINS -- An Elkins man is facing felony charges after allegedly fleeing from officers.
Matthew Dale Channell, 31, is charged with fleeing with reckless indifference and attempting to commit unlawful assault of a police officer. Bond was set at $50,000 cash-only by Magistrate Mike Dyer.
According to the criminal complaint filed by TFC D.T. Stallings of the West Virginia State Police, at approximately 4:28 p.m. on July 13, he and Trooper E.B. Malcomb were conducting routine road patrol along Ward Road when they spotted a white GMC Sonoma with an expired registration; Stallings then initiated a traffic stop, wherein the driver pulled into the parking lot of the Valley Village Apartments.
The report states that the driver falsely identified himself using a false name to Stallings, but he was unable to provide identification, proof of registration or a valid security policy for the aforementioned vehicle. After consenting to a search of the vehicle, Channell placed the car in drive, states the report. According to Stallings, Channell refused to comply with his order to stop the vehicle, attempted to flee the scene and nearly struck the officer with the vehicle.
At approximately 4:32 p.m., the officers began to pursue the vehicle, activating the emergency lights and siren in the cruiser and following the vehicle eastward on Ward Road, the report states. While fleeing from the officers, Channell "failed to yield the right of way" to multiple vehicles, nearly causing multiple collisions. The report additionally states that the vehicle was observed traveling in excess of 60 miles per hour in a 45 mph speed zone during the pursuit.
After turning into Plantation Drive, Channell continued to flee for about half a mile, then exited the northern roadway edge of the street and drove over the hillside for approximately 100 yards before attempting to flee on foot, according to the complaint. The report additionally states that after failing to comply with the officers' order to halt, Channell was unable to be spotted through the wood line.
The report states that at approximately 5 p.m., Stallings was able to identify the driver as Matthew Dale Channell by a photograph. The officer then reportedly "made contact with Channell's father at the residence listed for … the false name provided by Matthew Dale Channell." The officer was then informed by WVSP Elkins Communications that Channell's West Virginia operators license was revoked for one active DUI revocation in addition to three unpaid citation suspensions.
The officer then returned to the vehicle, where he observed a Walther PPK/S .380 caliber pistol "in plain view" on the driver's side floorboard, the report states; upon requesting a check of the gun's serial number through WVSP Elkins Communications, Stallings was advised that the serial number returned as stolen with an active NCIC entry, at which time the firearm was seized.