BAIL DENIED FOR CLAIRTON MAN

Bail was denied for a Clairton man charged with shooting a Monroeville police officer during a chase that ended with a crash in Allegheny Township.  The Trib reports that 39-year-old Bruce Alvarado will remain in jail in Westmoreland County until at least his next hearing.  He is charged in connection with the incident on November 10th when police tried to stop a stolen Jeep driven by Alvarado in Turtle Creek.  That led to the chase through Monroeville and North Versailles until he crashed on Route 356 near Hyde Park Road.  Investigators said Alvarado fired a handgun into a marked Monroeville police cruiser, hitting the officer twice.  Judge Megan Billik Defazio denied bail due to Alvarado’s extensive criminal history, saying she was convinced that he was a menace to the community.