Police Crediting Detectives, Uber Cooperation And Community Tips For Arrest In Christi Spicuzza's Death
By: Meghan Schiller and Lindsay Ward/KDKA-TV News Staff
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Investigators are crediting the relentless work of detectives, Uber's cooperation and tips from the community for the quick arrest in the shooting death of an Uber driver last weekend.
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Following the arrest of 22-year-old Calvin Crew on Thursday evening, Allegheny County police say the investigation into death of 38-year-old Christi Spicuzza is still ongoing. They said it is unclear what happened in the time that her dashcam was shut off and her death, but it must have been "terrifying for Christine."
"This is a sad and tragic case ... that left four children without their mother," police said during a Friday morning news conference about the arrest.
Crew is charged with criminal homicide, robbery and tampering with evidence, police said.
Detectives believe Crew was robbing Spicuzza, police authorities said. There is no known relationship between Crew and Spicuzza.
"It is unusual. Thankfully it doesn't happen that often, but more times than not there is a relationship between the actor and the victim," said Allegheny County police Assistant Superintendent Victor Joseph.
Spicuzza had a single gunshot wound, police said. Her body was found Saturday afternoon on Rosecrest Drive in Monroeville.
Spicuzza's family first reported her missing to Turtle Creek police last Friday. They said she never came home after driving around Uber fares the day before. Pitcairn police found her car along 4th Street on Saturday morning, just hours before her body was found in Monroeville.
Uber agreed to send police data like GPS locations, trip information and details like who she picked up that night. Police said that information was valuable in the investigation.
Uber banned the accounts of the man accused of killing driver Christi Spicuzza and his girlfriend, who police said ordered him the ride. The company said Crew's girlfriend will be held responsible for the actions of her "guest rider," as the account holder has to answer for its entire party.
Uber has released this statement: "No family should have to suffer such an unimaginable loss and our thoughts are with Christi's loved ones during this difficult time. We've been in touch with law enforcement to support the investigation and are grateful for everything they've done."
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Police tracked Spicuzza's final Uber passenger to an account owned by Tanaya Mullen, Crew's girlfriend.
"I have other tenants in there and they're all females and so I'm scared for their safety," said Bruce Smith, who is Mullen's landlord. "I told them to lock their doors until they catch the culprit and come to find out, it was my tenant's boyfriend. So that's like a double shock."
Smith told KDKA on Friday that he can't get a hold of Mullen.
"I've been calling her contact numbers and it's going to the answering service, she's basically MIA," said Smith.
KDKA-TV asked detectives if she could face any charges stemming from this incident.
"We are continuing the investigation, and we are in consultation with the district attorney's office about any additional charges that may be filed against anyone else in this case," Allegheny County Police Department Superintendent Christopher Kearns said.
Police said tips came in from all over the community, which also helped bring in the suspect.
As for Spicuzza's family, police said they are relieved there has been an arrest, and investigators are relieved to give them a quick resolution.
According to the criminal complaint, an Uber was called Thursday around 9:15 p.m. to a house in Pitcairn on Brinton Road for Crew. It was requested for a trip to Deram Drive in Penn Hills.
According to the criminal complaint, Spicuzza's missing dash camera was found by officers in Penn Hills. The cam was found during a recanvass of one of the areas where police focused on in the initial investigation, police said.
The camera revealed that Crew placed a gun to the back of Spicuzza's head about 10 minutes after getting in the Uber, telling her to "keep driving," according to the complaint. Spicuzza, according to court documents, responded by saying, "Come on, I have a family," with Crew saying, "I got a family, too, now drive."
Spicuzza pleaded again with Crew, saying, "I'm begging you, I have four kids," but the video ended after Crew said, "Do what I say and everything will be all right," the complaint says.
Police say GPS records show they drove through several neighborhoods. Along the way, phone records showed Spicuzza's cash apps were accessed. Investigators are still going through her phone.
It is unknown if Crew got away with anything or money belonging to Spicuzza.
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She and Crew then drove to Monroeville, where police say she was shot.
Crew was taken Thursday to the Allegheny County Jail, where he awaits his arraignment.
He had been in custody on a warrant for a gun charge from Northern Regional police, but he was arraigned and released.