Suspect In South Hills Crime Spree Has Lengthy Rap Sheet Dating Back To 1999
BALDWIN (KDKA) -- There are new details on Wednesday's police chase, carjacking and shooting in the South Hills.
The police chief in the town where it all started says there are plenty of other guys just like the suspect in this case, and he's fed up with it.
Baldwin Police were simply serving an arrest warrant for a bicycle theft. That's it. But it turned into a wild chase throughout the South Hills.
One officer was run down, there was at least one carjacking, as well as crashes and a shootout. Baldwin Police are hoping for the best for the unidentified, injured officer.
"We're still trying to deal with it. Everybody's very upset because he was a very popular officer here," said Chief Michael Scott, of Baldwin Police.
The man accused of running down the officer and leading police on the dangerous chase is 33-year-old Richard DeSabatino. Police say he's a guy who's been busted many times before.
It's not unusual, according to police.
"It seems like that's more often the case than not with almost everybody we encounter or arrest anymore," said Chief Scott.
DeSabatino's rap sheet dates back to 1999. It includes charges of aggravated assault, fleeing and eluding and child endangerment.
Why isn't he locked up?
"The facilities just aren't there to keep them, or the crimes aren't significant enough to keep them," said Chief Scott.
"Unfortunately, these types of things have to happen before the bond is set high enough or there's a harsh enough sentence to keep them in jail for a while," he added.
RELATED LINKS:
Suspect In Custody After Carjacking 2 Vehicles While Fleeing From Police (8/6/14)
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