'Violent gang member' accused of leading police on car chase through neighborhood

PITTSBURGH — A man police described as a "violent game member" has been charged after leading police on a chase through a densely populated neighborhood.

Mark Anthony Givens, 26, of Elliot, was arrested Monday night after a police pursuit that ended with his vehicle crashing in Pittsburgh’s Elliott neighborhood, authorities said. He faces charges that include fleeing and eluding police, and resisting arrest.

Officers spotted Givens, who they recognized as a violent felon with outstanding warrants, just after 6:30 p.m. Monday, police said. He was driving near the intersection of Noblestown Road and Queensbury Street in Pittsburgh’s Westwood neighborhood.

When officers tried to pull over the man, he sped off in his vehicle toward Elliott, police said. Stop sticks were used to slow the vehicle before Givens crashed near Chartiers Avenue. Even though his car was wedged between a fence and a utility pole and police were swarming, Givens took off running. Police said he made it as far as Chartiers Avenue before being taken down.

Police said Givens is a member of the GBK gang and said he is "a violent gang member who always carries a gun." Givens was on probation for robbery, escape, resisting arrest and a gun charge.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by Channel 11 News, police were actively looking for Givens because they wanted to question him about the 2015 unsolved killing of a New York City man on Woodlow Street in Crafton Heights.

Police also were investigating a complaint from a woman who said Givens threatened to kill her.

When he was arrested, there was an active warrant out for Givens for a probation violation. Police said when Monday's incident happened, Givens was also driving without a license.

Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for continuing coverage. 

Cox Media Group