Crime & Safety
Update: Suspect Identified in Shaler SWAT Incident
The North Hills Special response team, which includes Ross Township police officers, responded to the incident early Tuesday.
One man is in custody after a SWAT situation ended quickly, and peacefully, in Shaler Township early Tuesday.
The North Hills Special response team, which includes Ross Township police officers, responded to a town house in the 400 block of Lexington Court, KDKA-TV reported.
At 5:20 a.m., after announcing their presence, officers broke into the home through a first floor window. Other officers climbed ladders and came in through the second floor windows.
Moments later, a white man with long blonde hair was brought out in handcuffs, KDKA-TV reported.
He has been identified as Carmello Direnzo, 50.
The show of force was prompted by an alleged domestic dispute. Inside the building, a man was wanted for beating his girlfriend.
“It happened quickly and she made contact with her sister. Her sister felt she was in danger, went to the house and her sister helped get her out of the house,” an undercover officer told KDKA. “The sister was also assaulted while trying to get her out of the house.”.
Direnzo is being held at the Allegheny County Jail and is facing several charges including, terroristic threats and multiple counts of aggravated assault.
Police said the two women suffered cuts and other type of wounds and were hospitalized. Both are expected to be okay, KDKA reported.
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