Man Apprehended After Conviction In Whitehall Cop Dragging Incident

PITTSBURGH, PA — The suspect of a man on trial for dragging a Whitehall police officer with his car last year was arrested Wednesday after failing to appear to the conclusion of his trial.

The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office announced the Alphonso Francis, 28, of Turtle Creek, was taken into custody. The sheriff's office initially arrested Francis in March. He had been on the run for nearly a year.

The trial involved a number of charges, including aggravated assault, in connection with a traffic stop on Clairton Boulevard that ended with a Whitehall officer more than 200 feet.

Last week, Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Elliot Howsie notified the sheriff's office that Francis didn't show for the third day of his trial and had cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet to avoid detection. The trial was continued in absentia and Francis was convicted of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and two firearms violations.

The sheriff's office received information that Francis was located in a residence along Fairview Avenue in Glassport. Detectives arrived at the home Tuesday evening and confirmed that Francis was inside. After spotting the detectives, Francis initially attempted to exit from the rear of the house before realizing that he was surrounded.

Francis was taken into custody and is being housed in the Allegheny County Jail. A sentencing date for his crimes has yet to be scheduled.