A man convicted of misleading police in the fatal shooting of Freemansburg Ofc. Robert Lasso last year and threatening the man who called 911 is in trouble with the law again.

Todd D. Schaedel allegedly fled police custody late Wednesday night and led officers from several departments on an 18-mile high-speed chase from Freemansburg, Northampton Co., to his home in South Whitehall Twp., Lehigh Co., officials said.

It all started when police were called to 446 New St. at about 11 p.m. to help with an unwanted guest, officials said.

Schaedel was found intoxicated outside the home, saying he was there to visit a friend who wouldn't let him in, officials said.

Schaedel's pickup had a flat tire and a damaged front, which police suspected was caused by Schaedel running over a chain link fence and hitting the wall of a nearby garage, officials said.

Schaedel then jumped into his pickup and fled, weaving through traffic and almost hitting several vehicles, as his damaged tire kicked up bits of burnt rubber which hit pursuing police cars, officials said.

Police took Schaedel into custody at his residence at 4228 Briarcliff Rd., after a brief foot chase, officials said.

Schaedel, 42, was arraigned early Thursday morning on numerous charges, including fleeing police, reckless endangerment, DUI and property damage, and committed to the Northampton County Prison on $75,000 bail, according to court documents.

A preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Aug. 17.

Schaedel was a friend of George Hitcho Jr., who fatally shot Ofc. Lasso.

He was standing in the back of Hitcho's home at 440 New St. when Hitcho got into a screaming match with a neighbor, who eventually called 911. Lasso answered that call.

Schaedel was arrested when he wouldn't help officers with the homicide investigation.