Police seek man accused of attacking woman in Blairsville, stealing pickup in Derry Township
A woman leaving work at an assisted living facility in Blairsville was hospitalized Wednesday after state police said she was attacked by a man who stole her car and a second vehicle.
Trooper Tristan Tappe said a tip from the public helped investigators identify the suspect as Michael A. Bronson-Whitfield. His age and hometown was not available.
Authorities continue to look for him.
Police released surveillance images Wednesday afternoon of the carjacker and pickup he is accused of stealing from a Derry Township business. They hoped the public could help to identify him.
“This suspect is considered to be armed and dangerous at this time,” Tappe said during an afternoon news conference.
The attack happened just after 6 a.m. at Keeper of the Flame, where the woman, who is in her 60s, was targeted.
The man struggled with the woman, stole her vehicle and went south on Route 217 toward Derry Township, Tappe said.
She was in stable condition at an Allegheny County hospital being treated for lacerations.
Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers indicated Wednesday evening that a 9-year-old child was with the woman at the time, but Tappe declined to address that during the earlier news conference.
❗️Car Jacking❗️
PSP Asking for assistance to ID the below individual.
The below B/N-M committed a carjacking of a 2003 brown F250 this morning in Blairsville, Indiana Co.. last seen 0638 hrs south on 217 passing Hitchman’s Supply in Derry Twp Call 911 with any info please! pic.twitter.com/37TNRtiz1r
— Troopers Steve Limani & Cliff Greenfield (@PSPTroopAPIO) July 12, 2023
There were no charges filed against Bronson-Whitfield as of 9 p.m. Authorities believe one of the attacker’s arms was hurt during the struggle, Tappe said.
After fleeing, the attacker tried unsuccessfully to break into Mugs Tavern and Lees Ice Cream, both on Route 217 in Derry Township. He stole some items from Kettle Dad BBQ food truck, possibly cash, and took a 2003 Ford F-250 from a nearby trucking company.
“The keys were inside the vehicle so he was successful in stealing it,” Tappe said.
The attacker was last seen heading south on Route 217 at 6:38 a.m. Anyone with information can call Kiski Valley state police at 724-697-5780, Blairsville police at 724-459-7555 or 911.
Renatta Signorini is a TribLive reporter covering breaking news, crime, courts and Jeannette. She has been working at the Trib since 2005. She can be reached at rsignorini@triblive.com.
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