Man detains suspected car thief until police arrive

PITTSBURGH — A woman is in jail after police say she ransacked several vehicles in Brighton Heights on New Year’s Day.

Police were initially called to the area of McClure and Benton avenues around 5:13 p.m. for a woman checking car door handles, according to the criminal complaint. When police arrived, she was gone.

Around an hour later, police were called back to McClure Avenue for a woman stealing from a vehicle, according to police. That's where police found Carlene Smith being detained by the victim.

Smith, 37, is charged with theft from a motor vehicle, contraband and prohibited acts.

Click here to watch a full report from Channel 11's Michele Newell. 

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