A man accused in a multi-county crime spree was arrested Monday in Cameron County by Emporium-based state police.
Joseph J. Gillo Jr., 27, of Clymer, Indiana County, is accused of stealing vehicles in Indiana and Cambria counties — allegedly hitting a woman with one of the vehicles — and leading law enforcement officials in a pursuit on Wykoff Run Road, Grove Township, Cameron County.
Gillo will be facing criminal charges in four cases in three counties from alleged acts during a 14-hour period.
According to Emporium-based state police, Johnstown City (Cambria County) Police had been looking for Gillo on robbery/carjacking allegations.
Johnstown Police did not release any details on the case to The Era, but The Indiana Gazette reported on information from the department.
The Gazette stated that around 9:30 p.m. Sunday night, Gillo allegedly jumped in the truck of a woman who was pumping gas, began fighting with her, then drove off, dragging her through the parking lot before running her over. The woman was reportedly being treated at a local hospital.
Police located the truck at a convenience store in Carrolltown Borough, Cambria County, but he allegedly ran back to his truck and fled, The Gazette reported.
On Monday, Indiana-based state police responded to a report that Gillo stole a truck from his father, Joseph J. Gillo, 55, of Clymer, Indiana state police reported. The younger Gillo allegedly took the truck from the driveway at 7000 Route 553, Cherryhill Township, Indiana.
Police learned that the younger Gillo was possibly going to a camp off Wykoff Run Road, and around 11:30 a.m. Monday, Emporium-based state police tried to pull over Gillo, who was driving north on Wykoff Run Road. Gillo stopped the truck but refused to get out; then, he fled in the truck, traveling north, leading police in a pursuit.
Law enforcement officials deployed spike strips, successfully deflating all four of the truck’s tires; the chase continued for another half-mile, when Gillo pulled over and was taken into custody, according to Emporium state police.
Emporium state police said there was no damage to any of the vehicles.
Police said Gillo was jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail on the warrants.
The online VINELink portal indicates he is incarcerated in Potter County Jail.
For the Johnstown allegations, Gillo is charged with robbery of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property, both first-degree felonies; aggravated assault by vehicle and accident involving serious bodily injury, both third-degree felonies; and summary charges of driving an unregistered vehicle and failing to stop and give information/render aid.
In Carrolltown Borough, he is charged with receiving stolen property, a second-degree felony; resisting arrest and fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, both second-degree misdemeanors.
For the Cherryhill Township allegations, he faces one charge of theft by unlawful taking, a third-degree felony.
No Cameron County charges were available on Wednesday night, but Emporium-based state police stated that charges related to the pursuit in Grove Township would be filed in the office of District Judge Barry Brown.
