PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A man suspected of shoplifting was taken into police custody Monday evening after leading police on a high speed chase that ended when he drove the wrong way onto the Highland Park Bridge.

It all began at the Target store in Harmar Township where the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Brandon Cafeo of Glenshaw, is accused of walking out of one of the store’s fire exits with stolen merchandise.

Store security personnel alerted Harmar Township Police who were waiting in the parking lot outside.

“The suspect took a TV out the side fire exit door,” said Chief Jason Domaratz, of the Harmar Township Police Department. “Two of our police units, two of the officers pulled up behind him. He rammed one of the cars twice trying to get away from them. He was able to do that.”

During the confrontation with the suspect, authorities say one of the officers fired a single shot.

“As he rammed the police car twice, [he officer] felt that he was in danger; and nobody was shot, nobody was hurt,” said Chief Domaratz.

Trying to flee, police say Cafeo drove his Chevy Cavalier several miles ending up going the wrong way on the Highland Park Bridge before he bailed out.

“He hit the car in front of me, and then sprinted around in front of me and jumped off into these woods right here,” said R.J. Casey, a witness.

The suspect’s luck ran out moments later as he was taken into custody trying to hide in some bushes near the Allegheny River Locks and Dam.

The stolen television was still in the backseat of the car, which was put on a flatbed truck to be towed away.

RELATED LINKS:
More Highland Park News
More Local News