Police Arrest 1 Suspect After Truck Crashes Into Home, Bursts Into Flames
BULLSKIN TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A series of bizarre events had an entire Fayette County neighborhood on edge for hours Tuesday.
State Police say one suspect, Matthew Beers, 22, of Mount Pleasant, is in custody and police are reportedly searching for a second suspect after the chaotic incident that started with a fiery wreck in Bullskin Township. A heavy police presence was on the scene on Pleasant Valley Road for much of the evening.
It all started with a stolen pickup truck crashing into the front of the home. The impact caused the vehicle to burst into flames and the injured driver and passenger ran from the scene.
Kyle Johnson's family was home when the vehicle slammed into the porch.
"When the truck caught fire, I went inside to get a hose or a fire extinguisher," said Kyle. "I made sure he was all right, and he was moving, so his truck started to catch fire, so I went inside to get something to put it out and when I came back the two guys were running across the field."
The couple said both men had visible injuries.
"He could have killed my family 'cause my kids were in the car," Jenny Johnson said. "We were getting ready to leave and he just missed hitting my car and killing my kids, and here I was trying to help him not knowing all this was going on."
Amy Wadas' Report:
Police were then called and a manhunt ensued. State police searched the area with their guns drawn. Police K-9s were also brought in. Police put the neighborhood on lockdown and shut down the roads.
State Police say the suspects entered a garage at another home on Pleasant Valley Road around 6:30 p.m. and stole a 2006 Toyota 4Runner, damaging a garage door as they drove away. However, they only made it a short distance before that vehicle crashed.
Minutes later, State Police say the suspects tried to steal a Lincoln MKX from another home. According to people who live nearby, a homeowner spotted them and exchanged gunfire with one of the suspects.
"He tried to steal her car. The husband came out with a gun," said neighbor Eric Johnson.
KDKA has confirmed that Beers was arrested inside a nearby Sheetz on Route 119 after he went in to order food. An employee called police.
Beers faces numerous charges including a felony counts of burglary, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and carrying firearms without a license. He's also charged with driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked and careless driving.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
