High-speed chase ends in arrest
A Beaver County man wanted for stealing a truck from a Smith Township dealership was jailed after a high-speed chase that ended in Ohio.
It’s the second time in five months the man, Charles William McAfee Jr., 40, has been arrested and charged after police received help by posting on social media.
McAfee, of 457 Ridge Road, Georgetown, was charged with stealing a truck from Wysocki Auto Sales, 2070 Smith Township Road, Aug. 21.
According to court documents, dealership owner Leonard Wysocki told police a middle-aged man with graying blond hair asked to look at a silver and blue 2004 GMC Sierra. Wysocki gave him the keys, telling him he couldn’t take it for a test drive, as Wysocki was the only one working, but he could look inside the cab. Wysocki said as he was assisting another customer, the man started the truck and drove off.
Smith Township police posted a description of the truck on social media and asked anyone with information to contact them. After receiving a message that McAfee had the truck and was showing it to neighbors, Wysocki positively identified McAfee from and photo, and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
On Aug. 31, officers from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio were involved in a pursuit of the vehicle that ended in Ohio. McAfee was taken into custody and was awaiting extradition to Washington County.
He was arraigned Thursday before District Judge Gary Havelka and placed in Washington County jail on $5,000 bond for charges of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of an automobile and driving with a suspended license. A preliminary hearing is scheduled before Havelka on Sept. 28.
McAfee also is facing charges in Washington County Court for the May 5 robbery of a Hanover Township convenience store.
According to court documents, McAfee entered Grab N Go, 1100 Steubenville Pike, reached over the counter and started stealing money from the register. When an employee attempted to stop him, he allegedly shoved her, took money from her hand and continued to take money from the register.
McAfee, who allegedly stole about $325 before fleeing, was taken into custody May 8 after township police received tips on his location from posting a photo of him on social media.
In that case, McAfee is charged with robbery, theft by unlawful taking, terroristic threats, harassment and simple assault.