An armed robbery suspect was arrested after a chase ended in a crash in Penn Hills yesterday. According to WPXI, the police were called to a Pizza Hut on Baum Boulevard for reports of an armed robbery. The suspect was soon located, leading officers on a pursuit until the vehicle crashed in the area of Lincoln Road and Verona Road.
Reflecting further details provided by TribLive, the suspect, identified as Jason Brian Fields, managed to dangerously reach speeds up to 80 mph, trying to evade police custody after the robbery. This high-stakes chase compelled officers to temporarily break off their pursuit as Fields drove into opposing traffic to hastily get around other vehicles. The pursuit was picked up again shortly before Fields crashed the getaway car, leading to his arrest.
The robbery in question took place shortly before 6:30 p.m., with the suspect allegedly stealing between $400 and $600 from the restaurant's register and safe. The cashier identified Fields as the perpetrator at the scene, noting that he brandished a firearm during the robbery. "The suspect jumped onto a counter to look into the safe and jumped down and left with the money when another man entered the restaurant," the cashier informed officers in a statement detailed by TribLive.
Upon Fields' capture, police recovered a substantial sum of cash and a gun that had been discarded under the vehicle. Fields now faces charges including robbery, carrying a firearm without a license, terroristic threats, fleeing from police, and reckless driving. It was further discovered that Fields had a previous conviction for stealing a vehicle, which prohibits him from legally possessing a firearm. Fields was awaiting arraignment this morning, according to information shared by WPXI.
