Authorities say a man accused of stealing a McKeesport police vehicle from outside the department’s headquarters Wednesday night had just been released from a holding cell inside the building.Mario Tiller, 37, was arrested in Elizabeth after allegedly taking off in the SUV.VIDEO: Watch Bob Hazen's reportAccording to criminal complaints, Tiller was first arrested on Tuesday in Braddock after officers found him panhandling while drinking a half gallon of wine at the corner of Braddock Avenue and Fourth Street. Those officers noticed he had “several small lacerations on his face at the time and he stated that he walked into a door earlier.” One of the cuts appeared serious enough it might need stitches.They called for an ambulance, but on the way to UPMC McKeesport hospital, Tiller allegedly groped a female paramedic and tried to expose himself to her. The complaint says the paramedic slapped his hand away.McKeesport police said they later took Tiller into custody because he caused a disturbance at the hospital.He was kept in a holding cell at McKeesport police headquarters for some time before being released with a citation.According to authorities, Tiller found an unmarked police Jeep left running in front of the station and drove away in it. Elizabeth police officers caught him on the Boston Bridge 23 minutes later.McKeesport’s police chief said the SUV is an older vehicle and is not equipped with a remote key lock, so it was left unlocked. It was still running because they were trying to charge its battery.Tiller is facing charges for theft, receiving stolen property, indecent assault, open lewdness, disorderly conduct, and public drunkenness.10925658

Authorities say a man accused of stealing a McKeesport police vehicle from outside the department’s headquarters Wednesday night had just been released from a holding cell inside the building.

Mario Tiller, 37, was arrested in Elizabeth after allegedly taking off in the SUV.


VIDEO: Watch Bob Hazen's report

According to criminal complaints, Tiller was first arrested on Tuesday in Braddock after officers found him panhandling while drinking a half gallon of wine at the corner of Braddock Avenue and Fourth Street. Those officers noticed he had “several small lacerations on his face at the time and he stated that he walked into a door earlier.” One of the cuts appeared serious enough it might need stitches.

They called for an ambulance, but on the way to UPMC McKeesport hospital, Tiller allegedly groped a female paramedic and tried to expose himself to her. The complaint says the paramedic slapped his hand away.

McKeesport police said they later took Tiller into custody because he caused a disturbance at the hospital.

He was kept in a holding cell at McKeesport police headquarters for some time before being released with a citation.

According to authorities, Tiller found an unmarked police Jeep left running in front of the station and drove away in it. Elizabeth police officers caught him on the Boston Bridge 23 minutes later.

McKeesport’s police chief said the SUV is an older vehicle and is not equipped with a remote key lock, so it was left unlocked. It was still running because they were trying to charge its battery.

Tiller is facing charges for theft, receiving stolen property, indecent assault, open lewdness, disorderly conduct, and public drunkenness.

Brian Opfer



