Police seek suspect who was stealing from vehicles

Canonsburg police are looking for a suspect, who while possibly armed, was stealing items from vehicles in the borough early Tuesday.
Police were called about 5 a.m. to Valley View Terrace for a report of a man who was seen breaking into vehicles on Craighead Street. A witness was reportedly chasing the suspect while speaking by cellphone to a 911 dispatcher during the chase.
The witness also told the dispatcher he did not want to get too close because the suspect pointed what appeared to be a gun at him. He described the man as skinny, white, about 6 feet tall, weighing 160 pounds, wearing a black and gray jacket, baseball cap and black pants.
When police arrived on Valley Road, the witness pointed out the suspect getting into a gold sport utility vehicle in the 300 block of Valley View Terrace. Police approached the suspect in their cruiser, but did not get too close since they did not know if he was armed.
Police said the suspect did not listen to police orders and kept reaching into the vehicle. He then put up his hands, spun around and ran.
Police chased him into the 500 block of Valley View Terrace, where the man jumped over a small fence and ran into a wooded area.
Police from Chartiers and North Strabane townships arrived to assist in the search. North Strabane police Sgt. Matt Mancini used his dog, Drago, to search for the suspect. The man’s jacket was found and taken into evidence.
The witness told police he spotted the suspect inside his neighbor’s vehicle, using his cellphone for light as he looked for valuables. The witness got into his vehicle and followed the suspect up Cecil Street to Valley Road. At least five people in the area of Duquesne, Ridge and Highfield avenues reported change and other items stolen from their vehicles.