GREENSBURG, Pa. — A man has been charged after a chase in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties Friday night where an officer was shot.

PHOTOS: Monroeville officer shot following chase, prompting major police response

Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said in a press release Bruce Alvarado, 38, of Clairton, was charged with 15 counts — including attempted homicide, assault of a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault. He was arraigned from the Westmoreland County Prison Saturday and denied bail.

Zicarelli said the chase started after a Pitcairn officer tried to stop a stolen vehicle with two people inside. The driver was later identified as Alvarado.

“It is pretty shocking to hear because we don’t normally hear of things like that taking place in this area,” said Gabe Kail of Greensburg. “I’m glad he was caught and I’m glad he was denied bond.”

Multiple departments were involved in the multi-county chase on Routes 22, 66 and 356, where speeds reached 90 miles per hour.

“It’s just crazy,” said Phillip Miller, who lives nearby and saw the aftermath. “I’ve never seen this many cops out here before.”

The chase ended when multiple police cruisers boxed in the stolen vehicle near Hyde Park Road in Allegheny Township.

When officers approached, Zicarelli said Alvarado didn’t comply with commands to exit the vehicle. When police forced the driver’s door open, they saw Alvarado with a gun and a woman in the passenger seat. Before he could be removed from the vehicle, Alvarado fired multiple shots into a Monroeville police cruiser.

RELATED COVERAGE >> Monroeville police officer shot following chase; multiple people being questioned

Two of those shots struck a Monroeville officer in the arm and leg. He was taken to a Pittsburgh-area hospital, and Ziccarelli said he is expected to be OK.

“Thank the good Lord that the officer is okay, and he’s going to be able to go home to his family,” she said.

According to Zicarelli, the passenger told police in an interview that Alvarado made comments during the pursuit that he wouldn’t stop and would “blow a cop’s head off.”

“That’s just something that’s disturbing,” Kail said. “That definitely startled me a little bit.”

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