May 5, 2004 By April Straughters 2 min read

CARROLL TWP. – More than 50 local and state police searched a wooded area outside Monongahela for a suspected armed robber who eluded them early Tuesday. Helicopters hovered over a wooded area in Carroll Township, Washington County, while state police officers blocked off portions of Route 481, including Pigeon Creek and Taylor Run roads, which were closed to traffic. The Mon/Fayette Expressway’s northbound and southbound lanes also were closed to traffic due to the search.

Residents in the approximately 1-mile radius of that area were not permitted to return home, and those at home were advised to lock their doors and take caution as police scoured the area looking for Franklin Sebetich, 56, of Ellsworth.

Police said Sebetich was armed and dangerous and eluded police at his home Wednesday by fleeing into the woods. Police said Sebetich is wanted for an armed robbery April 21 in Washington County.

According to trooper Robin Mungo, police searched the New Eagle area Monday night after receiving information Sebetich was there. She said police are also investigating whether a robbery in which guns were stolen from a house is related to the Sebetich case.

Mungo said police spotted Sebetich at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday in the passenger side of a car on Route 88 in Monongahela. She said that when they tried to top the car, the driver, Dann Brewer, 44, of Monongahela fled. She said the chase led to Route 481, with Sebetich firing multiple shots at police from the car.

Mungo said the two ditched the car on Pigeon Creek Road, off Route 481, and ran on foot. Police were able to catch Brewer, but Sebetich escaped.

Brewer was charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, fleeing and eluding police and hindering apprehension, and was to be arraigned Tuesday night.