Pennsylvania State Police. Photo by James Short.
The pursuit was called off and the defendant was later found at his house by police.
A Buckingham Township man has been accused by Pennsylvania State Police of DUI, speeding away from police in excess of 130 mph in the early morning hours on residential roads, and then hiding out in his garage from authorities when they showed up at his home.
James Michael Houpert, 35, of the 4900 block of Julie Court, was charged Nov. 28 by Pennsylvania State Police out of Dublin with felony fleeing or attempting to elude an officer and misdemeanor counts of DUI/unsafe driving, evading arrest on foot, and resisting arrest, according to court records.
Houpert is additionally charged with summary charges of speeding, exceeding the speed limit by 77 mph, reckless driving, displaying an unauthorized certificate of inspection, displaying no evidence of emissions inspection, failure to stop at a stop sign, and improper use of a dealer registration, per court records.
On Nov. 28, at 3:40 a.m., troopers were north on North Church Street near East Court Street in Doylestown Borough in an unmarked police car behind a gray 2016 Range Rover SUV, allegedly driven by Houpert. The Range Rover turned right onto East Court Street, where Houpert allegedly sped up in excess of 25 mph. Police said the SUV sped up unnecessarily again from the stop sign at East Court and East streets.
The SUV continued east on East Court Street, hitting speed humps while speeding, and then turned left onto Swamp Road, police said. Houpert allegedly turned right onto Cold Spring Creamery Road, where he began speeding in excess of 100 mph.
Police activated emergency lights to attempt to stop Houpert, but he continued at speeds in excess of 122 mph, police said. Houpert slowed for a stop sign at Burnt House Hill, and then accelerated to speeds in excess of 130 mph, according to the affidavit.
Due to the distance between vehicles and rainy weather conditions, police stopped the pursuit and instead responded to Houpert’s last known address, police said.
Upon arrival to Houpert’s home, a trooper saw someone run toward the garage, at which time police activated emergency lights and demanded Houpert come outside, according to the complaint.
Police said Houpert closed and locked the garage door. Upon arrival of other troopers, entry was made into the garage via a laundry room door, police said.
Houpert was found crouched behind two garbage cans, holding a cellphone, according to the affidavit. He was ordered multiple times to show his hands and leave the hiding spot, but he allegedly refused.
Police ultimately removed him and handcuffed him at 4:06 a.m., per the report.
After he was in custody, police noticed a strong odor of alcohol on him and his breath, with bloodshot, glassy eyes, police said.
Houpert was told twice by police of the implied consent form, which is used when they suspect a driver of a DUI and before asking them to submit to a chemical test, police said. He refused to provide an answer and the test was deemed a refusal, per the affidavit.
In Pennsylvania, a civil penalty for refusal can lead to a 12- to 18-month license suspension, and the refusal is charged at the highest tier possible, even if the BAC is not above 0.16%, according to the PA DUI Association.
Houpert is free on $5,000 unsecured bail and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Dec. 19 at 10 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Maggie Snow.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
