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Wanted McKees Rocks man charged in Buffalo Twp. chase

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A McKees Rocks man, already awaiting trial in Washington County court on robbery, theft, and reckless endangerment charges, was arraigned Thursday on charges stemming from a chase when he was apprehended in Buffalo Township earlier this year.

Bobby Frank Kirkland Jr., 24, was arraigned before District Judge Ethan Ward on charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver heroin, receiving stolen property, firearms not to be carried without a license, fleeing or attempting to elude police and several traffic violations stemming from the May 9 incident.

State police received a tip Kirkland was staying at a Canton Township motel. They also determined he was wanted on three warrants, including one obtained by Charleroi Regional police in connection with an April robbery.

Police set up surveillance on Kirkland’s room. When he left, they followed his car to a home on Karen Drive in Buffalo. A short time later, the car with Kirkland inside was spotted near Karen and East Buffalo Church Road.

A trooper stopped him on Route 221 near the ramp to Interstate 70 eastbound. As the trooper walked up to the car, Kirkland sped away, leading police on a pursuit on Route 221. Kirkland was seen tossing a handgun out the car’s window. He crashed the car into a utility pole on Highland Ridge Road. He fled on foot into a field where he was caught.

Kirkland had nine bricks of heroin, a cellphone and $1,161 on him when he was caught, according to police. Pills were found inside the car along with another cellphone. The gun he tossed was recovered. The 9mm Ruger was reported stolen to Monongahela police in October 2013.

Kirkland was charged by Charleroi police after he allegedly robbed his roommate at gunpoint in a home on Meadow Avenue in April. He reportedly hit her twice in the head with a handgun and stole $900 and two cellphones from her purse. Charges of aggravated assault and criminal mischief were dismissed at his June 23 preliminary hearing before District Judge Larry Hopkins. He was held for court on the robbery-related charges.

Ward set bond for Kirkland, who was in Washington County jail on $150,000 on the previous charges, at $75,000. He faces an Oct. 11 hearing before Ward.

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