Man wanted in violent Indiana County carjacking, crime spree arrested in Georgia
BLAIRSVILLE, Pa. (KDKA) -- A man wanted after a violent carjacking in Indiana County and a vehicle theft in Westmoreland County earlier in the week was arrested in Georgia.
The Indiana County District Attorney said Michael Whitfield, who was wanted on attempted homicide charges, was taken into custody on Thursday.
Police say they got a call from a woman around 6:10 a.m. Wednesday who reported being assaulted by a man outside the Keeper of the Flame Care Center on Moorewood Avenue.
The woman was an employee at the facility and had just finished her midnight shift. Police said the victim was walking to her car when the suspect assaulted her. The criminal complaint said the woman's 9-year-old granddaughter was with her.
Police said the victim was cut from ear to ear with an unknown weapon.
"At that time, he assaulted her in her vehicle. He then struggled with her for some time. He ended up stealing the vehicle and then traveling southbound on Route 217 toward Derry Township," said Trooper Tristin Tappe with state police in Greensburg.
According to the criminal complaint, the woman's granddaughter ended up in the back of the vehicle and while the vehicle was leaving the scene, she managed to get out.
Tappe said the suspect drove the victim's car to Mug's Tavern where he got out and attempted to break into the business.
"He then tried to walk over to Lee's Ice Cream in Derry Township to break in and, again, he failed," Tappe said. "He walked over to Kettle Dad BBQ, a food truck, where he was successful in breaking in. To our knowledge, he did steal some items, possibly money, we're not sure about what else."
From there, police said the suspect went to Taylor's Trucking where he stole a brown F-250 pickup truck with a white tailgate. They said the Pennsylvania registration is XLE1209. Tappe said the keys were in the truck.
The suspect was then last seen heading southbound on Route 217 near HiItchman's Supply in Derry Township.
Authorities in Westmoreland County said he was also wanted out of Greensburg for stealing a vehicle on Monday.
