A Luzerne County man was sentenced to a county prison term on Monday in Carbon County court after pleading guilty to fleeing police and a drug charge.

Jason Michael Mika, 42, of Wilkes-Barre, entered his pleas before Judge Steven R. Serfass for an incident on Sept. 9 in Lehighton.

Borough police were on patrol in the area of the Dunkin’ Donuts when they observed a motorcycle passing by with a vehicle code violation. They attempted to stop the bike but the driver failed to stop despite emergency lights and siren on the police vehicle.

The pursuit continued until the bike operator abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. He was later apprehended by officers.

Mika said he fled because he knew he would be going to jail if caught. Serfass noted that Mika has an extensive prior criminal record dating back to 1997.

Serfass told Mika when he fails to stop and flees police he “puts police officers in danger.”

Serfass sentenced him to serve three to 18 months in the county prison and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, render a total of 100 hours of community service, pay court costs of over $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole.

On a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia, he was placed on probation for six months concurrent with the fleeing charge.

He will begin the jail term at 9 a.m. on Jan. 23. He was granted work release privileges if he secures an approved employment.