Crissman Capture Praised by County District Attorney
District Attorney Scott Andreassi released details regarding the apprehension of inmate Robert Crissman at the Armstrong County Emergency Operations Center late this morning.
by Jonathan Weaver
Armstrong County District Attorney Scott Andreassi confirmed that at approximately 8:40AM, Robert Crissman was apprehended.
Crissman, a former inmate at the Armstrong County Jail, escaped from the Rayburn Township facility early Thursday morning.
Andreassi described this morning’s events.
“The series of events started at approximately 7:30AM this morning. Calls began to come in to the 9-1-1 center that a vehicle matching the description of that stolen yesterday along Rayburn Road was spotted along State Route 1034 in Boggs Township,” Andreassi said.
“Additional calls then come in of an individual matching the description of Crissman being in that area carrying a gas can.”
Robert Crissman is suspected of killing Tammy Long yesterday morning, then stealing the vehicle from her home. Friends will be received Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Kennedy & Blodgett Funeral Home in Kittanning. Funeral service will be Monday at Noon.
And, again a few minutes later, a 9-1-1 call was fielded by an emergency dispatcher that Crissman was at her door.
That dispatcher said in an interview first with the Kittanning Paper that Crissman requested help from the homeowner, but she recognized his face and locked the door behind her before calling Armstrong 9-1-1. He then stole her truck from the driveway and a chase ensued.
A five-to-seven mile vehicle pursuit ensued before Crissman’s capture along State Route 1034, State Route 28/66 and Williamson Road. Crissman was apprehended after he tried to ram a Pennsylvania State Police vehicle and lost control of his vehicle.
Andreassi commended those officials and personnel involved in the apprehension
Crissman is currently being processed by Pennsylvania State Police at the Kittanning barracks in East Franklin Township, and will be charged with murder, the theft of two trucks, a gun and a television set, escape from the Armstrong County Jail and aggravated assault on a police officer.
He will be housed in the Butler County Jail.
The state trooper injured his hand and was treated by ambulance official.
Commanding Officer Steve Ignatz said about 75 state troopers from various barracks involved in searching for Crissman during Thursday and into Friday morning.
Local News | jweaver July 31, 2015
By jorn jensen, July 31, 2015 @ 2:51 PM
The situation described could have resulted in a second person murdered. People need to be able & willing to defend themselves. In this case, locking the door and calling 911 worked - had he kicked the door in, it might not have worked.
So, where was he all night?