Pine-Richland school put on lockdown Tuesday while police searched for suspect
Pine-Richland’s Wexford Elementary School was locked down for a short time Tuesday after a suspect fled from police during a traffic stop in McCandless.
No injuries were reported.
McCandless police tried to stop a vehicle that failed to stop along Grubbs Road, department spokesman John Bojarski said. The driver, Donald Terranella Jr., 47, had multiple active arrest warrants, he said.
When Terranella fled at high speed, McCandless officers did not pursue him.
The vehicle was found a short time later off Reichold Road, Bojarski said. As officers approached, Terranella ran into a wooded area.
Police dogs and a drone were used as officers from multiple agencies, including McCandless, Northern Regional and Allegheny County, searched for Terranella. He was taken into custody around 2:30 p.m., Bojarski said.
Wexford Elementary was placed on lockdown while officers conducted the search.
“This means that all students and staff stay inside the building while the situation is resolved,” according to a statement from Pine-Richland officials. “Northern Regional staff are providing additional presence at Wexford in addition to the school security officers. All students and staff are safe.”
Tawnya Panizzi is a TribLive reporter. She joined the Trib in 1997. She can be reached at tpanizzi@triblive.com.
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