Suspect wanted for attempted homicide of S.C. cop arraigned for multiple vehicle thefts in Westmoreland

After Brian J. Stoltie fled South Carolina, where he was wanted for shooting at a sheriff’s deputy last year, members of the state police auto theft task force allege that he went on vehicle theft spree in Westmoreland County.

State police captured Stoltie, 39, who has ties to Westmoreland and Fayette counties, April 29 and he admitted during subsequent interviews with troopers that he committed multiple vehicle thefts in the area.

He was arraigned last week on multiple theft complaints, which date back to early April and continue through April 24. He is being held in the county prison without bond.

Troopers Matthew Gavrish alleges in court documents that Stoltie was committing some of the thefts with a former friend from South Huntingdon Township, who has not yet been charged.

Police allege on April 21, Stoltie and his associate went to the Tractor Supply store in East Huntingdon in a white Ford Explorer hauling a utility trailer that was stolen during an earlier April theft from the Lowes’s store in Hempfield. At Tractor Supply, troopers allege that the pair stole a 50-inch Cub Cadet lawn tractor and a Toro 60-inch, zero-turn tractor and took it to a residence on Strikertown Road in South Huntingdon.

Gavrish said the stolen trailer and lawn mowers, valued at more than $8,000, were recovered by state police April 23.

About April 13, Gavrish alleges the pair stole an ATV valued at more than $4,500 by breaking into a garage in East Huntingdon. Police said the ATV was later taken by the pair to an apartment where Stoltie was staying in Clairton, police said.

Gavrish reported those items, including a second stolen utility trailer, were recovered April 29.

On the evening of April 23, troopers allege that Stoltie also stole a 2004 white Ford van in Wyano, South Huntingdon, to flee a police interview. Trooper Jason Morgan said the van broke down nearby along Mt. Pleasant Road, but troopers could not locate him during a search of the area.

According to South Carolina media outlets, Stoltie was arrested about a year ago after allegedly shooting at a county sheriff’s deputy during a police chase. He was hurt during a shootout, according to news reports.

Stoltie is listed as a sex offender in South Carolina in connection with a 2011 conviction. The address listed on his registry is McKeesport.

Preliminary hearings will be scheduled on the theft charges.