On Tuesday, a Pittsburgh police officer was hurt while attempting to capture a burglary suspect in the South Hills, forcing the closure of Route 51 as police looked for him.
On Tuesday afternoon, police closed a major section of Route 51 between Bausman Street and Warrington Avenue to look for the culprit.
Pittsburgh police were investigating a recent burglary when they came across 36-year-old William Skinner, who was sought on several warrants, on Charles Street in the Beltzhoover area at 12:30 p.m., Allegheny County police said. Skinner escaped in a Chevy Blazer, which police traced to the rear of a property on Althea Street.
County police reported that as officers approached Skinner, he immediately reversed and struck one of them. According to investigators, police opened fire on Skinner, who slammed into a wall in a neighboring yard before exiting the truck and running toward Route 51.
While on the run, Skinner allegedly committed a robbery on Route 51 and a burglary on Cadet Street.
According to Pittsburgh Police Chief Larry Scirotto, after abandoning the automobile and scurrying up the hill behind the Red White & Blue Thrift Store, Skinner sought safety at a store on West Liberty Avenue, where he persuaded someone to drive him to the South Side.
A little before 2 p.m., police captured Skinner on the train lines beneath the McArdle Roadway.
Skinner is already facing charges for many burglaries that occurred in recent weeks, including one on Monday night, according to Scirotto. He is also charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, and running and eluding.
The cop who was hit was sent to the hospital in stable condition, with a cut on his head and a suspected fractured ankle. Scirotto said he is likely to recover. According to sources, the cop may require surgery due to his injuries.
Allegheny County police have taken over the investigation, as is standard procedure when Pittsburgh police are engaged in a significant event.
According to KDKA-TV, authorities suspect Skinner is responsible for many burglaries in Pittsburgh over the last month.
The manhunt took about an hour, but it produced a hectic situation along Route 51, where work had already caused problems for vehicles. Route 51 is blocked between Crane and Woodruff as workmen dismantle a bridge.
The Red White & Blue manager stated that an officer entered the business, evacuated it, and then returned minutes later, telling them to lock down. Witnesses outside the store reported hearing sirens, dozens of police cars, and a SWAT truck while they were stuck in traffic on Route 51.
“It was chaos. Tamia Cosby stated, “It was very chaotic.” “There were cops, paramedics, and everyone everywhere. The traffic was stalled back there. Folks were looking out of place as if to say, ‘What is going on?’ No one knew about it until someone mentioned it.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey issued a statement wishing the officer a “speedy recovery” and expressing appreciation that no one else was wounded.
“Thankfully, no one else, including numerous bystanders who the suspect interacted with during his attempt to escape, were harmed during the incident,” according to Gainey. “Thanks to law enforcement’s swift efforts, the culprit was apprehended and is currently in custody. Thank you to all of the policemen involved and the other police departments who responded.”
It all started when Skinner reportedly drove into the front door of the Grand Mart in Arlington, taking smokes.