Pittsburgh man arrested after chase that started in Cecil
A Pittsburgh man suspected of entering vehicles early Wednesday in Southpointe, Cecil Township, was taken into custody after leading police on a chase into Allegheny County that ended when he crashed in Collier Township.
Michael Hirschfield II, 30, was placed in Allegheny County jail on a warrant obtained by Pittsburgh police on charges of simple assault, endangering the welfare of children and reckless endangerment stemming from an Oct. 27 incident.
Cecil police Chief Shawn Bukovinsky said police received a report about 1 a.m. from a resident of Fairway Landings Drive that two men were walking around trying to gain access to vehicles. The two reportedly were in a dark, older-model Jeep Grand Cherokee with a loud muffler.
Officers responded to the area and found the vehicle parked on Fairway Landings. Bukovinsky said while officers were checking the area, the vehicle left. It was spotted again on Evandale Drive near Ironwood Drive as it attempted to leave Southpointe.
“Officers activated their emergency lights and tried to stop the vehicle, but it took off,” Bukovinsky said. “The vehicle just missed hitting the patrol cars and ran a red light.”
North Strabane Township police used a spike strip in an attempt to stop the vehicle on Southpointe Boulevard. Bukovinsky said the right, rear passenger tire was deflated, but the vehicle continued, even as the tire shredded, onto McClelland Road and then Interstate 79 northbound. The pursuit continued with other police agencies joining in the chase until the Jeep got off at the Carnegie exit.
The pursuit continued into Collier, where the Jeep went through the front yard of a residence near the intersection of Baldwin and McMichael roads. Bukovinsky said the Jeep went past a house and into a wooded area, where it crashed. Police followed the suspect, later identified as Hirschfield, as he fled on foot and apprehended him.
“Several items that may have been stolen were found in the Jeep,” Bukovinsky said Wednesday morning. “We continue to get calls this morning from residents who had items stolen from their vehicles. We will get a warrant to search the vehicle, which has been impounded.”
The chief said Hirschfield was alone in the vehicle, although police believe there was a second person involved in the thefts. Hirschfield also allegedly told police that he smoked K-2, a synthetic marijuana, before the incident.
Hirschfield was placed in Allegheny County jail on the Pittsburgh warrant and a probation violation. Cecil police will charge him later with theft and charges related to the pursuit, Bukovinsky said. Cecil police are familiar with Hirschfield, having arrested him last year on charges of conspiracy to commit theft from motor vehicles and loitering and prowling at night. He was ordered held for court on those charges and is awaiting formal arraignment next month. In 2012, he was convicted in Allegheny County Court for his role in a theft ring that stole from vehicles in Canonsburg and Wheeling, W.Va., as well as Allegheny County.
Residents who had items stolen are asked to call 911 or the station at 724-743-0940.