Man stripped to underwear, socks after incident at Greensburg pharmacy, police say

A man is being held without bail in a crime spree Sunday that, police say, ended when he stripped to his underwear and socks and was arrested while pushing a shopping cart full of stolen goods on a main thoroughfare in Greensburg, according to court papers.

Alex M. Kerestesy, 31, who is listed as homeless in court papers, is charged in incidents in Southwest Greensburg and the city between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Authorities were called to the Knights Inn on South Main Street in Southwest Greensburg on Sunday morning for a man who had asked for an employment application and then became violent, according to court papers. Kerestesy had cuts on his arm when police arrived.

A female employee told investigators Kerestesy smashed several pieces of glass and a computer monitor after she refused to tell him her name, according to court papers. There was about $500 worth of damage.

“The entire lobby area was in complete disarray from Kerestesy,” police wrote in a complaint.

Kerestesy was taken from police custody to a hospital by ambulance after claiming to have a medical emergency. Police initially told him the misdemeanor charges would be sent by summons.

But then authorities caught up with him again that afternoon near the Rite Aid pharmacy on East Pittsburgh Street, police say. A male employee told police Kerestesy walked the aisles with a shopping cart, throwing items in it and on the ground while screaming and threatening to shoot police and the employee, according to court papers.

Kerestesy left the store with the cart containing $125 worth of merchandise and began to take off his clothing, the employee told police. Officers found him a few blocks away wearing white underwear and gray socks and identified him as the same man from the motel incident, according to court papers. Police said they believe he was under the influence of a controlled substance.

Officers used a stun gun, which had no effect, but were able to take him into custody, police said. Kerestesy was arraigned Monday and was being held in Westmoreland County jail. He did not have an attorney listed in online court records. He is charged in two cases with robbery, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and related offenses. Preliminary hearings are set for June 30 and July 1.