Vandergrift woman accused of trying to stop cops from arresting man wanted on homicide charge

Vandergrift police accused a woman of trying to prevent officers from capturing a man who was on the run after being charged with vehicular homicide.

Rachel Lynn Cook, 36, of the 200 block of Bryant Street in Vandergrift was charged with a felony count of hindering apprehension along with counts of obstruction of justice, speeding, fleeing from police, reckless driving and driving with a suspended license.

Court records show that Cook had not been taken into custody as of Wednesday evening. A preliminary hearing will be scheduled before District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec once Cook has been arrested.

Search for homicide suspect

Vandergrift police got a tip Aug. 25 that Matthew David Carlson, 35, of Spring Church, Kiski Township might be hiding near a fire hall in the borough, according to authorities.

Police from at least nine departments, along with members of the Westmoreland County SWAT team, responded to the neighborhood around Washington Avenue on the fringe of the borough’s business district around 4 p.m., according to investigators.

Carlson was wanted on charges of felony vehicular homicide and vehicular aggravated assault while driving under the influence in connection with a Dec. 17 incident in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh police issued an arrest warrant for him Aug. 22.

Police said the Chevy Equinox that Carlson was reportedly in was seen being driven by a woman. It took off as police approached, leading officers on a short, high-speed pursuit.

Carlson jumped out of the rear seat and ran when the SUV stopped along the 100 block of Franklin Avenue, police said.

Cook forced officers to chase after Carlson on foot by blocking the roadway with her vehicle, investigators said.

Officers used a drone and brought in New Kensington’s police dog to help track Carlson down. The Westmoreland County SWAT team also was called out to help check yards and go door to door in the neighborhood.

Roads were closed along Washington Avenue from the intersection with Columbia Avenue to the Wooden Door Winery.

That’s where police found Carlson hiding in the basement after he broke in through a back door of the business, which was closed at the time. He surrendered without a fight.

No injuries were reported.