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McKeesport man faces charges

Police say Rizza ran out of gas in stolen car

Stuck on the side of the road, a McKeesport man called the Pennsylvania State Police for help, despite the fact he was driving a stolen car, court documents stated.

Daniel M. Rizza, 20, of McKeesport, was arrested Friday and charged with receiving stolen property after he ran out of gas on Old Route 22 near Juniata Township.

Rizza called PSP Hollidaysburg for help and reported he was driving a gray Audi, court documents stated.

When Rizza learned a police officer would be sent to assist, he said he no longer wanted help and hung up the phone, state police reported.

PSP Hollidaysburg desk personnel informed the responding officer a vehicle with a similar description was recently reported stolen in Altoona, court documents stated.

When state police arrived at Rizza’s location, a Pennsylvania State Game Warden was on scene and relayed to police he stopped when he saw the vehicle parked on Pennsylvania Game Commission lands with the vehicle’s hazard lights on, police reported.

Rizza provided the game warden with his identification and told him the Audi was out of gas, according to court documents.

State police checked the vehicle’s make, model and vehicle identification number, which all matched those of the gray Audi reported stolen in Altoona, police reported.

After being read his Miranda rights, Rizza agreed to police questioning and admitted he stole the vehicle, court documents stated.

Rizza was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Fred Miller on Saturday, and his cash bail was set at $35,000. Unable to post his bond, Rizza is jailed at Blair County Prison.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Rizza with Miller on Thursday.

Mirror Staff Writer Ike Fredregill is at 946-7458.

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