Grapeville man charged in high-speed chase

A Grapeville man who led state police on a high-speed chase through multiple Hempfield neighborhoods early Wednesday, crashing into two police cruisers then fleeing on foot, was ordered jailed on multiple charges.

Shawn P. McCune, 26, was charged in connection with the chase that began when troopers were called shortly before 3 a.m. to a disturbance along Briarwood Drive in Hempfield. As police were responding to the call, they spotted McCune in a pickup truck that one of the participants in the disturbance had fled in, according to court documents.

Police said they followed McCune east on Route 130 at North Greengate Road, where they attempted to stop him, but he crossed a concrete median to head west on Route 130 onto Beech Hills Road, eventually ending up on Route 66, headed south.

From that point, McCune traveled through a field, over an embankment, struck a state police cruiser and headed north on Route 66, reaching 80 mph.

The chase ended near Mary's Tastyland along Route 66, where he struck another patrol car, police said.

After the collision, McCune ran, but he was apprehended a short distance from the crash, according to reports.

Trooper Nicholas Pelc suffered a neck injury in the second collision, police said.

Reports indicate troopers noticed a strong odor of alcohol on McCune when he was arrested. He was taken to Excela Health Westmoreland in Greensburg for a blood test, which he refused.

He is charged with aggravated assault, driving under the influence and related counts and remains in jail on $50,000 bond.

In March 2013, McCune was arrested after leaving his truck on railroad tracks and then reporting it stolen to collect insurance money, according to court records.

He was charged with criminal solicitation to commit insurance fraud, insurance fraud and related counts.

The case is pending in Common Pleas Court, according to records.

In April 2012, McCune was charged by state police with recklessly endangering another person and criminal mischief in connection with an arson in Hempfield. He allegedly set a plastic garbage can on fire in front of a Grapeville residence, according to police.

He was sentenced to one year of probation in 2013 in that case.

Paul Peirce is a reporter for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-850-2860 or ppeirce@tribweb.com.