An off-duty Robinson Township police officer has found himself in the middle of legal troubles following a road rage altercation with a local business owner. According to WPXI, the incident took place on July 2, when Officer Steve Pies and Al Cannella, owner of Al’s Service, clashed after Cannella seemingly didn't yield while turning onto Forest Grove Road.
Pies reportedly followed Cannella to his business, where the situation escalated. It is alleged by the criminal complaint that Pies exited his vehicle and, following a verbal confrontation, punched Cannella in the face. This altercation resulted in Cannella falling into his truck, leading to multiple fractured ribs. Despite being the victim of an alleged assault by an officer, Cannella refrained from commenting on the incident.
WTAE reported that on July 8, a road rage incident involved Pies and an unnamed man who honked at Pies and then tried going around his car after Pies missed a yield sign on Forest Grove Road and Route 51. The complaint states that Pies tracked the man to the parking lot of his business and assaulted him, causing the man to fall back onto his truck, where he lost consciousness and sustained broken ribs.
Officer Pies, who faces charges of aggravated and simple assault, admitted to his involvement in the incident, according to the complaint. He is currently out on bond and is scheduled to appear in court on August 26.
