Pittsburgh Police officer injured, suspect in custody

UPDATE: KDKA Radio's Colin Dunlap reports a suspect is in custody. He says the suspect is a well-known panhandler that has been reportedly breaking into local businesses. The suspect was arrested on the South Side.

At least one Pittsburgh Police officer suffered injuries after an incident in Bon Air.

Pittsburgh Police Chief Larry Scirotto says one officer suffered a leg and head injured during initially contact with a suspect around 12:30 p.m. Gunfire was exchanged and the suspect fled before he was arrested on the South Side a short time later.

The injured officer is in stable condition.

Allegheny County Police took over the investigation and have identified the suspect as 36-year-old William Skinner of Pittsburgh.

Detectives say Skinner was already wanted on multiple "outstanding warrants."

Police had an encounter with Skinner in the 100 block of Charles Street in Beltzhoover. He fled in a gold Chevy Blazer and was found a short time later in the 400 block of Althea Street.

That is when Skinner reversed the Blazer and turned his vehicle toward officers. He hit the one officer and others on the scene fired toward Skinner.

The Blazer crashed into a wall and fled toward Saw Mill Run Boulevard.

While on the run, County Police say Skinner committed an armed robbery on Saw Mill Run and a burglary on Cadet Street.

At about 1:50, Skinner was arrested on the railroad tracks under the PJ McCardle Roadway.

51 has reopened after it was closed for a time between Warrington Avenue and Edgebrook Avenue.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey released the following statement Tuesday afternoon:

"Sending well wishes for a speedy recovery to the Pittsburgh Police officer injured by a suspect's fleeing vehicle.  Thankfully, no one else, including numerous bystanders who the suspect interacted with during his attempt to escape, were harmed during the incident.  Due to the quick work of law enforcement the suspect was quickly detained and is in custody at this time. Thanks to all the officers involved as well as the other police agencies that responded." -Mayor Ed Gainey