A Hazleton man faces charges after police said he stole a vehicle in Hazleton, attempted to abduct someone, crashed in Nesquehoning and fled the scene.

According to an affidavit filed by Nesquehoning police, just before 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 9, officers received a dispatch to watch for a gold Ford Explorer that had been stolen and was involved in a pursuit with the Hazleton City Police Department after the driver attempted to abduct a person in Hazleton.

Police responded to Route 93 and saw the vehicle in question heading into Nesquehoning. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, driven by Xavier Gomez, 33, of South Pine Street, but ended the pursuit when the vehicle sped up on Route 209, topping out over 85 mph, and road conditions were unsafe to continue at that speed.

A few minutes later, police were called to Allen and Mill streets for a crash involving the same vehicle, but before officers arrived, Gomez ran from the scene.

A few hours later, Nesquehoning police were called to Turkey Hill after Gomez was spotted in the store.

Police were able to locate the man on Center Street and took him into custody. Police found suspected methamphetamine during an initial search.

Gomez denied being the driver of the stolen vehicle. A blood sample was taken and Gomez was released.

At just before 6 p.m. on Feb. 9, police spoke with Hazleton police, who had video footage of Gomez stealing the vehicle and had him in custody.

At that time, Gomez confessed to being the driver.

Tests confirmed the drugs found were meth and Gomez had a suspended license.

Gomez was arraigned before District Judge Joseph D. Spagnuolo in Hazleton and sent to the Luzerne County Prison on theft charges in Luzerne County related to this incident. He has since waived those charges to Luzerne court.