Social media helps officers track down man accused of burning Pittsburgh police vehicle

PITTSBURGH — An Instagram photo helped Pittsburgh police track down one of the protesters who they say turned a peaceful protest into a violent one -- kicking off the May 30 riot in downtown Pittsburgh, which started with the spray-painting, assault and burning of two Pittsburgh police cars.

The man’s name is Shaheed Hatch, of Whitehall, and in the social media photo, he is wearing a Pittsburgh Public Safety vest and posing with a stop sign, both of which police say he stole.

According to the police criminal complaint, after sifting through social media streams of the protests and riot, Hatch was seen on camera wearing the orange vest as he danced around a marked Pittsburgh police cruiser, which was set ablaze.

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Minutes later, police said Hatch still wearing the stolen vest was one of several protesters who set an unmarked Pittsburgh police car on fire. Police said Hatch was seen on video “pouring a yellowish-brown liquid on a rag near the tailpipe ... seconds later (the) car (was) engulfed in flames."

Before the unmarked car was set on fire, police said Hatch used the metal pole from the stop sign to smash its passenger side windows.

Channel 11 checked out the suspect’s Instagram photo posted June 1.

Here is a portion of what Hatch wrote: “I went to protest peacefully ... I saw this vest and stop sign on the ground and picked it up ... I wanted the message to be clear for people to stop and slow down to think about why things are happening."

Channel 11 checked into Hatch's criminal background. Up until now, he hasn’t been charged with any violent crimes.

Hatch is facing multiple crimes, including riot and causing or risking a catastrophe.

Police trying to identify 3 more people involved in violent downtown Pittsburgh protest Police trying to identify 3 more people involved in violent downtown Pittsburgh protest

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