Owner wrestles for control of box truck stolen in Downtown Pittsburgh; suspect in custody
Police took a suspect into custody Thursday, stemming from the theft of a box truck in Downtown Pittsburgh.
City police responded shortly before 1 p.m. to a reported fight at Liberty Avenue and 11th Street. They discovered two men restraining a third for allegedly stealing the truck.
The truck’s owner told officers he saw someone driving away in the vehicle after he completed a delivery to a business in the 900 block of Penn Avenue.
The owner ran after the truck and caught up with it as it stopped for a red light at Liberty Avenue and Grant Street, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety spokeswoman Emily Bourne.
Bourne said the owner climbed in the truck’s passenger door and got into a confrontation with the suspect.
The suspect, attempting to flee, maneuvered the truck over the median and drove onto a sidewalk, striking several planted trees and nearly hitting a pedestrian, Bourne said.
The truck’s owner gained control of the steering wheel and applied the emergency brake, bringing the truck to rest on 11th Street. Bourne said another man helped the owner restrain the suspect until officers arrived.
Officials have not released the name of the suspect, who was taken to a nearby hospital for medical clearance.
Police indicated they intend to file charges.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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