Police: Man chased woman from New Kensington day care with 3-year-old son in her car
A West Mifflin man is accused of stalking the mother of his son and pointing a gun at her during a car chase with the 3-year-old in her car.
New Kensington police on Tuesday filed charges against Roosevelt Javon Wright, 23. Police said the incident began about 9:30 a.m. March 22 outside a day care at 2400 Leechburg Road.
In a criminal complaint against Wright, police said they tracked his movements using license plate readers and city surveillance cameras.
Police said Wright was seen entering New Kensington about 8:40 a.m. that day driving an SUV. He was parked at a gas station across from the day care for about 42 minutes, where he had a clear view of the day care entrance, the complaint said.
According to the complaint, the woman told police she noticed Wright parked at the gas station when she arrived at the day care to drop off her son. She said Wright sped toward her as she got out of her car, police said.
Police said the video shows the woman turning into the day care entrance, followed by Wright leaving the gas station lot and crossing Leechburg Road at a high speed.
The woman told police she got back in her car and tried to leave, but Wright blocked her, according to the complaint. She evaded him, and he pursued her for a long time through multiple jurisdictions, the complaint says.
Police said the video shows the woman leave the day care lot, turn right onto Leechburg Road and right onto Craigdell Road with Wright following. She is seen crossing Route 56 to Falcon Park Road against a red light, with Wright two seconds behind. Wright enters the intersection at high speed and doesn’t stop for the red light or yield as opposing traffic was starting to turn, according to the complaint.
The woman told police Wright forced her car into oncoming traffic and off the road. She claimed Wright pointed a gun at her and told her to pull over, the complaint said.
The woman was able to stop and speak with a police officer at a gas station, the complaint states.
Wright did not have an attorney listed in court records.
Police charged Wright with misdemeanor counts of stalking, simple assault and reckless endangerment. He also is charged with harassment and traffic offenses.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 5 before New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a TribLive reporter covering news in New Kensington, Arnold and Plum. A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, Brian has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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