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Donora man arrested after allegedly leading police on foot chase

2 min read
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A Donora man was arrested Wednesday by Charleroi Regional police for allegedly leading officers from several departments on a foot chase after fleeing from Monongahela Valley Hospital.

Shaun McGavitt, 38, of 636 Highland Ave., is charged with flight to avoid apprehension, resisting arrest and two counts of disorderly conduct.

Charleroi police received a tip about 7 p.m. that McGavitt, who was wanted on an adult probation warrant, was in a house in the 400 block of 10th Street. Police went to the home and took McGavitt into custody on the warrant.

Police then took him to their station to wait for adult probation. At the station, McGavitt allegedly became disruptive. When told he was going to be taken to Washington County jail on the warrant, McGavitt reportedly told police he was depressed and wanted to harm himself.

Police took him to the hospital, where he signed himself in for a voluntary commitment. Police said they were told to they could leave and they would be contacted through 911 when McGavitt was to be discharged so he could be picked up on the warrant.

While Charleroi police were on their way back to the station, they were advised by 911 McGavitt fled from the hospital and ran into the woods nearby.

Police from Charleroi, Monongahela and Carroll Township set up a perimeter to catch McGavitt. After about 30 minutes of tracking him through thick woods, McGavitt was found near a car wash on Country Club Road by Monongahela police.

McGavitt was taken back to the hospital to be checked before he was transported to the jail. While he was in handcuffs, police said he again tried to flee, running from a room and down a hall. Police used a Taser to again take him into custody.

McGavitt was arraigned before District Judge Joshua Kanalis, who denied him bond. He was placed in jail. McGavitt is scheduled for a March 8 preliminary hearing before District Judge Larry Hopkins.

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