Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers on routine patrol in  Zone Five observed a known male with multiple active warrants for his arrest near Tioga Street just after 4:30 pm.

When officers attempted to take the male into custody he fled on foot. After a short foot pursuit, officers observed the male entering a home located in the 7300 block of Hamilton Avenue. 

Due to the male’s history of gun violence, the safety of whoever might be in the home, and the safety for the growing number of people gathering on the street, members of the SWAT and Tactical Negotiations teams were called in to assist and establish contact with the male. 

Negotiators tried to verbally hail the individual multiple times at different intervals, to no avail. 

Just before 6:30 p.m. a female surrendered from the residence the male had entered. A pitbull was also safely removed from the home and placed with a neighbor. Police then executed a search warrant to look for the suspect inside the residence.

Shortly thereafter, officers found the male hiding in a well-concealed area of the home where he was taken into custody.

John McClendon, 33, of the Homewood area faces charges of flight to avoid apprehension, in addition to his numerous outstanding warrants for felony gun and drug violations, resisting arrest, flight to avoid apprehension, and fleeing and eluding.

Upon his arrest he told officers he was experiencing an undisclosed medical condition.

EMS, which was already on standby, transported McClendon to a local hospital for medical treatment.

UPDATE: After an extended search of the residence in the 7300 block of Hamilton Avenue, police found a firearm with ammunition which was taken as evidence.