Public Safety Blotter Articles

UPDATE: Stolen Vehicle from Pittsburgh Prompts Multi-Agency Pursuit that Ends with Arrest in Ohio

Date: September 28, 2020
Incident Type: Stolen Vehicle/ Pursuit
Location: Multiple jurisdictions
Summary:

UPDATE: 09/28/20 6:15 p.m. - This is an ongoing investigation. Any additional information about this incident will be added to this space as it becomes available.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers from Zone 3 responded to a report of a vehicle stolen from the area of Station Square just before noon. The vehicle was a work truck with tools inside, taken from a construction site.  

When the vehicle was observed traveling westbound down West Carson Street at a high rate of speed, Zone 6 officers were alerted it was likely headed toward their zone.  

When Zone 6 officers encountered the vehicle in the 1500 block of Ridenour Street, they conducted a traffic stop. The suspect vehicle subsequently fled from the traffic stop and an officer fired their weapon during the incident.

Pittsburgh Police alerted Pennsylvania State Police as the vehicle made its way toward and then onto I-376 westbound and then I-79 southbound, traveling at times at speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour.  

West Virginia State Police were alerted before the pursuit moved into that state just after 12:50 p.m.  

The driver of the stolen vehicle eventually crossed into Ohio and was taken into custody by Ohio State Highway Patrol at Exit 1 on I-470 westbound at around 1:10 p.m.  

Shad Bocella, 24, of Bridgeport, PA was arrested. He had just been released from Allegheny County Jail earlier in the morning. Bocella faces charges both in Ohio and Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Police are consulting with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office on the exact charges.

Pittsburgh Police would like to thank Pennsylvania State Police, West Virginia State Police, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol for their assistance in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion for all involved.  

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police will be handling the investigation.  


Reporting PIO:
Cara Cruz

2020-09-28
PIO@pittsburghpa.gov