‘I thought for sure I was about to die:’ Car stolen out of Propel School parking lot in South Side

PITTSBURGH — On Monday afternoon, Joseph Shade said he pulled in to the parking lot of Propel School on East Carson Street to look at his tire when his car was stolen.

“I was looking at my tire and this guy asks if I’m going towards the waterfront … and I told him ‘no’ and the next thing I know is the guy jumps in my car and drives off with it,” Shade said.

The car was still running when Shade got out of it.

Shade said he grabbed onto the side door of his silver Kia to try to hang on while the man, who has yet to be identified, pulled onto East Carson Street.

“I was scared as I’m holding onto the car. I thought for sure I was about to die,” he said.

Shade said he and his 6-year-old daughter borrowed a car and spent the next two hours driving around the waterfront looking for the only means of transportation for the two of them.

Channel 11 spoke with Pittsburgh police who remind the public not to leave vehicles running unattended.

Shade said he had gotten out only for a moment and was even willing to help the man.

“I would have given him a ride. He just needed to give me a minute to do what I was trying to do and then I would have turned back to him and said, ‘I’ll drive you, bro.’”

Shade said his car was recovered in McKeesport Tuesday afternoon so he will be able to go to work Wednesday.

Propel School did not comment on the incident except to say no students attend classes there. The facility is used for administration.

Police are still looking for a suspect.

Local residents wondering when their free at-home COVID test kits will arrive

©2022 Cox Media Group