MOUNT PLEASANT, Pa — State Police have identified Kenneth Crider as the person who stole the keys out of an 87-year-old marine veteran’s pocket and stole his car with his dog inside.
>> Local veteran’s car stolen with his dog inside, family offering cash reward for beloved pet’s return
A warrant is out for his arrest, but they say Crider could be anywhere and they need help trying to track him down.
“I don’t have the whereabouts of the vehicle, Lucky, or Mr. Crider, and we’re asking the public to help us,” said Trooper Steve Limani of the Pennsylvania State Police.
Crider was seen on surveillance video at the Connellsville Walmart just an hour after police say he stole Willard Martz’ car Monday morning. Troopers said he was seen on surveillance video letting Lucky out to go to the bathroom, and then was seen putting Lucky back in the car.
He then went into the store, bought clothes, and a pair of clippers. Troopers say that could be extremely important in this investigation.
“That’s something that he bought, and you’re seeing that he has long hair in these photographs, and my guess would be that he’s not going to have that same long hair,” Limani told Channel 11′s Andrew Havranek.
Troopers said Martz’ car isn’t the only car Crider stole.
Just a day before, troopers said they were involved in a chase on the turnpike involving Crider on Sunday. They said he was driving a car from Maryland that police there said was also stolen.
They said the chase ended when Crider abandoned the car and ran off near Scottdale, Westmoreland County.
They believe he walked several miles and waited for an opportunity to steal another car — and found Martz as he was walking into Tractor Supply Company in Mount Pleasant.
“He had to be being very observant of our victim and his actions and figuring maybe, ‘it’s a senior citizen that happens to be using a cane, let me take advantage of this person,’” Limani said.
The car Crider stole from Martz is a silver 2016 Ford Focus. It has a Pennsylvania license plate KVR-6440. It also has a Retired Marine plate in the front.
Police are urging everyone to be on alert. They’re asking everyone and make sure the license plate is still on their car in case Crider steals a plate.
Crider is from Maryland, and could have made his way back home.
“Our concern is he’s not just hanging out here in Scottdale, in Mount Pleasant, or in our local area. He could be anywhere,” Limani said.
Police are urging Crider to at least return the dog.
“They deserve to have their animal back,” Limani said. “They don’t deserve to have any of this happen to them at all, but to definitely have their pet.”
If you have any information or see the car, Crider, or Lucky you’re asked to call 911 immediately.
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