A Braddock man was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly striking a police officer with a vehicle while on bond for attempted homicide.
Mitchell Johnson, 20, who was initially charged with attempted homicide for shooting at police officers, now faces over a dozen additional charges, including several felonies.
On Wednesday, the Munhall Police Department was looking for a reported stolen Chevrolet Malibu when Assistant Chief Jamie Caterino spotted it in Braddock.
Caterino, in an unmarked vehicle, requested assistance from the Eastern Regional Police Department before conducting a traffic stop.
Caterino approached the vehicle with his gun drawn, and the driver, later identified as Johnson, accelerated, striking him and injuring his arm, according to authorities.
The vehicle then fled the scene, resulting in a brief pursuit before colliding with a police cruiser, a fence, and two garages on Isabella Alley.
Johnson fled on foot after the vehicle came to a stop, according to police, but was later apprehended at his Packer Street home. A juvenile passenger in the vehicle attempted to flee, but was quickly apprehended and found in possession of a loaded 9mm magazine.
Johnson was detained and apologised to Caterino, who continued to help with the search despite his injuries. Caterino and an Eastern Regional officer were treated at the scene for their injuries.
“In this situation, a vehicle is just as dangerous and lethal as a firearm,” said Sheriff Kevin M. Kraus. “I’m relieved that the injuries to Assistant Chief Caterino and the Eastern Regional officer were minor.”
Johnson is now being held in the Allegheny County Jail on new charges, including aggravated assault and resisting arrest.
“I commend the quick thinking by our detectives to be at Johnson’s house when he arrived, enabling them to take this dangerous person off the street,” Kraus told reporters.
