A New Castle man was arrested after leading police on a chase through the city’s Lower East Side.

Richard Leroy Neely Jr., 19, of 518 E. Reynolds St. was arraigned before District Judge Jennifer Nicholson on charges of theft, receiving stolen property, failing to obey traffic control devices, careless and reckless driving, fleeing and/or eluding police and five counts of causing involuntary damage to unattended vehicles or property. He was lodged in the Lawrence County jail on $50,000 bond.

New Castle police were called to the 200 block of Atlantic Avenue at 7:20 p.m. Sunday when someone reported that a vehicle had been stolen. Officers were told that a handgun had been in the back seat of the missing vehicle ’ a 1998 red Jeep Cherokee with Ohio registration and Maltese cross on the grill.

Police said they saw a vehicle matching that description traveling on the Columbus Innerbelt. Officers said a high-speed pursuit ensued as police chased the vehicle from the Innerbelt to Grove Street and up Croton Avenue hill.

At the intersection of Croton and Crawford avenues, officers said, the driver lost control of the jeep, which slid into a utility pole at Car Solutions at 702 Croton Ave. The jeep damaged the pole and three vehicles parked in the lot, officers said.

Officers said the driver jumped out the passenger-side window and fled on foot, with the officer chasing him. Officers apprehended the driver in an alley between Cumberland and Brooklyn avenues.

Police said Neely was treated at Jameson Hospital then released to the police for arraignment.