Caught on tape: Undercover drug bust ends in crash

What started with community complaints about crack cocaine in a neighborhood ended up with a crash caught on tape.

The incident started when police set up an undercover drug deal with an alleged dealer, William Smith.

“He gave us white rocks, crack cocaine, he took the money, at that time my officesr identified themselves,” said Monongahela police Chief Brian Tempest.

With police surrounding the parking area, the suspects took off, going straight down Route 837 not realizing police were one step ahead of them. A mile down the road, two Monongahela officers were on standby and threw down spike strips, blowing out two of the car’s tires.

“We were told Mr. Smith would definitely run and it wouldn’t be easy. ‘You better be prepared’ is what we were told,” Tempest said.

Nelly Tirpak saw the police chase end right outside of her Union Township home as the suspects crashed into a parked truck.

“They would not put their arms up. Police kept telling them to put their arms up,” Tirpak said.

Police had to break the windows to get to the suspects. In addition to Smith, police arrested Leo Owens, of Clairton.

Cox Media Group