Man waives charges in Bullskin Twp. vehicle theft spree
A Mount Pleasant man whose alleged vehicle theft spree ended when he was spotted buying cheesesticks waived his charges to the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas on Tuesday.
Matthew Glenn Beers, 22, is facing nine felony charges for a series of events Jan. 3 in Connellsville and Bullskin Township that involved multiple stolen vehicles, multiple crashes and shots fired.
That afternoon, Connellsville police received a call for a Chevrolet Silverado stolen from a Snyder Street house. While police were taking statements, a call came across the radio that the truck crashed into 231 Pleasant Valley Road and caught fire. Jenny Johnson, who lives in the house, saw the vehicle 鈥渇lipping through the field鈥� toward her porch, which later crumbled on impact. She said her husband, Kyle Johnson, 3-year-old son and infant daughter narrowly avoided being struck.
One person was ejected from the truck, and Beers and another person fled into the woods.
About five hours later, Beers allegedly broke into a garage at 375 Pleasant Valley Road, stole a Toyota 4Runner, then drove it through the garage door and over a steep hillside along the driveway.
While a trooper was investigating the crash, Beers allegedly entered a Lincoln MKX at 241 Pleasant Valley Road but was spotted by the homeowner. Shots were fired, but no injuries were reported.
About 30 minutes later, Beers was spotted yards from the initial crash at Sheetz at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Route 119. Employees called police after he ordered 24 cheesesticks and tried to pay for them with wet cash and bloodied hands. Beers was arrested outside Sheetz.
A second person of interest was identified days later. Police did not name the second person. No charges have been filed against him.
Beers is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft, criminal mischief, flight to avoid apprehension, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft from a motor vehicle and three counts each of receiving stolen property and accidents involving attended property damage.
He remains in Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $75,000 bond.