West Deer man accused of stealing car, gun inside it

A man from West Deer’s Russellton neighborhood was arrested last week for allegedly stealing a car and attempting to take a gun that was inside it.

Harmar police arrested Brad Stanek, 39, after being tipped off by a local business owner Jan. 4 that his girlfriend’s car was stolen. The tipster said he had video footage of an unknown male getting into the gold Saturn sedan about 3:30 a.m., according to the criminal complaint.

In addition to the second-degree theft charge, Stanek also faces a second-degree misdemeanor for unauthorized use of a vehicle and a summary charge for driving with a suspended license, the complaint said.

On security video from the business, an auto repair garage, a man with short or no hair, wearing a hooded sweatshirt, shorts and sneakers, was captured standing outside the business before opening the door of the unlocked car, which had its keys inside, according to the complaint.

Stanek allegedly then started the car and proceeded on Russellton Road toward Nixon Road.

After consulting with other businesses, the Saturn’s owner stated she had left it at the garage for an oil change.

About 3 p.m., an officer in Harmony, Butler County located the car and a police chase ensued, but Stanek was apprehended, according to the complaint. Police said a gun was found in the car, and Stanek is accused of stealing it.

Stanek then allegedly told officers he “stole a vehicle from some crack head” before also saying he “stole the vehicle from some stripper.”

“That’s some junkie’s car I took,” he continued, according to body camera footage.

The car reportedly was involved in an attempted burglary in Sewickley Heights, where the homeowner confronted Stanek, prompting him to leave, according to the complaint.

Home video camera footage shows Stanek walking next to the stolen car wearing clothing that matched the initial description.

Police then discovered his license was suspended as a result of a prior DUI charge.

Stanek was unable to make bail and was taken to Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh.

A preliminary hearing has been set before District Judge David Sosovicka on Jan. 30.