Morning Roundup: Man sought in Allegheny County taken into custody in Florida

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, April 26:

Florida authorities arrest man sought in Allegheny County

A man who allegedly led Pennsylvania State Police on a pursuit through Allegheny County last week was taken into custody in Florida on Thursday.

Hermas Craddock, 37, was tracked to a townhome complex in Polk County, Fla., where he was identified through surveillance footage, according to the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office.

Craddock was free on a non-monetary bond that was revoked earlier this week. Detectives believe he was already on the run when a bench warrant was issued for him earlier this week for violation of bail conditions related to a prior gun charge, officials said.

Detectives with the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office said they tracked Craddock to North Carolina but were unable to make contact with him before he traveled to Florida. On Wednesday and Thursday, detectives believed they had tracked him to the Orlando area before he arrived in Polk County.

Craddock will remain in custody pending extradition to Allegheny County, officials said.

State police said Craddock was under the influence of drugs last week when he led police on a high-speed chase that began in O’Hara, continued through Aspinwall and Sharpsburg and ended in Pittsburgh. He reached speeds of up to 80 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone, drove on curbs and disregarded multiple red lights and stop signs while driving without a valid license, according to a criminal complaint.

Troopers said Craddock nearly rammed his vehicle into two patrol cars during last week’s chase, and he was seen throwing a firearm out the window of his vehicle.

He is facing multiple charges, including assault of a law enforcement officer, marijuana possession, driving without a valid license and other traffic offenses.

Court records indicate he was released on a non-monetary bail after a preliminary arraignment April 10 before District Judge Xander Orenstein, a controversial figure who court officials have since barred from presiding over arraignments.

Pittsburgh preparing for annual Girls Fire Camp

Pittsburgh is getting ready to host its third annual Girls Fire Camp, an event that aims to help women explore potential careers as firefighters and community leaders.

Registration for the event is open online trough June 12.

The free event is open to girls 14 to 18 years old, regardless of whether they are city residents. This year’s Girls Fire Camp will run Aug. 12-16 at Ebenezer Baptist Church in the city’s Hill District neighborhood. \

Thirty applicants will be accepted to learn about a range of topics, including fitness, nutrition, fire science, leadership skills and emergency medical care.

Free mulch available for Pittsburgh residents

Saturday will be the last day Pittsburgh residents can pick up free mulch made from this year’s recycled Christmas trees.

This year’s program recycled more than 2,300 trees.

Mulch is available at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium’s overflow parking lot on Baker Street starting at dawn until supplies run out.

The mulch is self-serve, and people are encouraged to bring their own shovels, gloves and buckets.

West End Bridge repairs scheduled to start

PennDOT announced repairs to barriers on the West End Bridge will begin Friday night.

Work will start at 6 p.m. Friday and be completed by 7 a.m. Monday, weather permitting.

There will be a single-lane restriction in both directions on the span.