Carjacking Victim Tells Suspect To "Rot In Hell For Killing My Buggy"
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Charges have been filed against a McKees Rocks man involved in a double carjacking and police chase through several South Hills communities on Wednesday.
One of the carjacking victims was injured while trying to stop the suspect from stealing his car. Now, he is talking about his run-in with the suspect.
Joseph Thome, 61, of Bethel Park is finally coming to grips with what happened to him Wednesday afternoon when he was driving home from work.
Thome was on Baptist Road, when his Chevy HHR was T-boned by 33-year-old Richard DeSabetino, who was driving an Oldsmobile, which had been stolen moments earlier.
"When I was coming home from work, I seen a bunch of cops passing me on Connor Road, and I mean, they were coming fast," said Thome.
At the time, unknown to Thome, DeSabetino was being pursued by police, after officers tried to serve a warrant to his girlfriend in Baldwin and there was a scuffle.
Police describe DeSabetino as a "career criminal."
Thome suffered facial and arm injuries in the incident. He said he scuffled with DeSabetino after the accident, pinning him against his SUV briefly.
Thome said he told him, "You killed my truck."
His HHR was badly damaged; it even sustained two bullet holes when police fired several rounds as DeSabetino was fleeing through several South Hills communities.
Thome said his SUV was a big part of his life, and as far as DeSabetino was concerned, he said "I hope he rots in hell for killing my buggy."
"You know, they say guys fall in love with their vehicles, I guess it's true," added Thome. "I don't know if it can be replaced."
Allegheny County Police late Friday filed a dozen of counts against DeSabintino, including aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and robbery of a motor vehicle.
RELATED LINKS:
Suspect In Custody After Carjacking 2 Vehicles While Fleeing From Police (8/6/14)
Suspect In South Hills Crime Spree Has Lengthy Rap Sheet Dating Back To 1999 (8/7/14)
More Reports by Ralph Iannotti
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