Update - 9:00 a.m.

 

A Pennsylvania man led police on a high-speed chase, after he apparently robbed a Go-Mart in White Hall just before midnight on Tuesday. Police believe that same man is responsible for another armed robbery that happened at the Subway restaurant on Fairmont Ave. Sunday night.

Fairmont police say Rocco Iacovone, 26, of Washington, PA, parked his van in front of the Go Mart in White Hall last night, walked in and shopped around for a while until other customers left. At that point, he went up to the register, pulled out a gun, and demanded money and cigarettes from the clerk.

In both of the Subway and Go Mart robberies, the man was said to have gotten away in a white minivan. After investigating, police found that a man who matched the description of Iacovone had also recently robbed a gas station near the Meadows Casino in Pennsylvania.

Patrolman Matt Lewis located the minivan that matched that description traveling north on I-79. Ptlm Lewis tried to stop the vehicle and that's when the chase began. Officers with the Fairmont Police Department and Marion County Sheriff's Department chased the vehicle on I-79 into Pennsylvania, reaching speeds of 90 mph.

Once officers crossed the PA state line, State Police in PA used "spike strips" to deflate at least one of the minivan's tires. Iacovone turned off of exit 19, where police used a pit maneuver to stop him from fleeing. Iacovone's minivan flipped and he led police on a short foot chase until he was finally caught just before 12:30 a.m.

Iacovone was arrested by PA State Police for fleeing while DUI, reckless endangerment, and resisting arrest. He's in the Greene County Jail. Inside his wrecked minivan, officers say they found evidence from the Go Mart robbery.

Fairmont police will be working with White Hall police on this investigation.

 

Original Story - 1:30 a.m.

 

A car chase ensued after a Pennsylvania man robbed a Go-Mart in Marion County around 11:50 p.m. Tuesday.  And the man arrested could be the same man involved in another robbery in the area.

 

Police tell 5 News that Rocco Lacovone, 26, parked his van in front of the store, walked in and shopped for a bit until other customers left.

 

At that point he went up to the register and showed a gun, demanding money and cigarettes. He got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

 

Store employees called 911 immediately and Fairmont Police saw the suspect in a minivan get onto I-79 northbound. They alerted police officers ahead before Iacovone made it into Pennsylvania.

 

He reached speeds of about 90 MPH and then a State Trooper put down spike strips to deflate the mans tires. He continued for a little bit before the minivan overturned. Iacovone allegedly led police on a short foot chase, until they caught him in a nearby field at around 12:20 a.m.

 

Police believe Iacovone was also involved in a robbery at the Subway Restaurant on Fairmont Avenue on Sunday.

 

Iacovone was taken to Greene County Jail. Police say they found evidence from the Go-Mart robbery in the wrecked minivan. Stay with 5 News and WDTV.com for any further updates.