A Bethlehem man has waived charges in a preliminary hearing where he is accused of leading state police on a high-speed chase on a stolen motorcycle in Carbon County on Christmas Eve.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Trooper Alexander Rankovich of the Pennsylvania State Police, Lehighton barracks, in the case against Anthony Iannelli:

At 10:27 p.m. Dec. 24, Rankovich was traveling south on Route 209 (Interchange Road) near LaRose’s Skating Rink in Franklin Township when he saw a black motorcycle with Ianelli and a passenger ahead of his patrol vehicle.

Rankovich attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle near the intersection of Pine Top Drive, but the vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit was initiated, which continued south on 209 at a high rate of speed and approached Route 248.

Iannelli, 23, turned left onto 248 and traveled east at a high rate of speed, before making a right onto Route 895, and then a left onto Bank Street and a right onto Mauch Chunk Road.

The pursuit continued left onto Franklin Avenue, before Iannelli continued straight into Palmerton Park.

A canvass of the area was conducted.

Trooper Kody Nowicki located the vehicle in the 800 block of Eighth Street in Palmerton.

Nowicki and Trooper Matthew Lento located Iannelli and a female passenger in the front of that address, where they were taken into custody. The passenger has not been charged.

Police discovered Iannelli had a DUI suspended second offense with an active warrant from Northampton County, while a query of Mastro yielded bench warrants, and a query of the vehicle yielded a stolen status from Bethlehem Police Department.

The motorcycle was leaned against a parked 2018 Chevrolet Trax, causing minor damage to the SUV.

Police asked Iannelli if he ran because he had a suspended license and warrants and he said yes.

Both Iannelli and Mastro were transported to PSP Lehighton. Strohl’s Towing towed the vehicle to PSP Lehighton, where it was placed into evidence.

Iannelli faces charges of receiving stolen property; fleeing or attempting to elude officer; criminal mischief; evading arrest or detention on foot; resist arrest or other law enforcement; driver’s license suspended/revoked; display plate card in improper vehicle; and reckless driving.

Iannelli had a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge William J. Kissner of Palmerton.