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Just-released Pa. inmate steals truck, leads police on 3-state chase

Shad Bocella was charged with aggravated assault, theft, fleeing police and reckless endangerment

By Brian C. Rittmeyer
The Valley News-Dispatch

PITTSBURGH — A report of a vehicle stolen from the Station Square area Monday lead to a three-state chase ending with the arrest of a man who had just been released from the Allegheny County Jail.

According to Pittsburgh police, Shad Bocella, 24, of Bridgeport had been released from the jail Monday morning.

According to court records, Pittsburgh police charged Bocella Saturday with robbery of a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property and simple assault. He was released from the jail Sunday after posting an unsecured $2,500 bond.

Court records also show that Elizabeth Township police charged Bocella on Sunday with theft, receiving stolen property, giving false identification to police, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

On Monday, a work truck was reported taken from a construction site near Station Square just before noon. It was seen heading speeding west on West Carson Street.

Officers stopped the truck in the 1500 block of Ridenour Street. The truck fled from the stop, during which an officer fired his or her weapon.

State police were alerted as the vehicle made its way toward and then onto Interstate 376 westbound and then Interstate 79 southbound, traveling at times at speeds over 80 miles per hour.

The chase went into West Virginia just before 1 p.m., at which point state police there were alerted.

Bocella crossed into Ohio, where Ohio highway patrol took him onto custody on Interstate 470 around 1:10 p.m.

Bocella faces charges in Ohio and Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh police said they are consulting with the Allegheny County District Attorney on exact charges.

According to court records, Bocella is charged with aggravated assault, theft, fleeing police and reckless endangerment.

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©2020 The Valley News-Dispatch (Tarentum, Pa.)

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