By ROBERT A. DEFRANK
Times Leader Staff Writer
ST. CLAIRSVILLE - An individual has turned himself in for a carjacking reported near the first of March that left a woman injured.
Early Tuesday afternoon, Thomas Lee Gessler, 35, 27 Allendale Road, Wheeling, surrendered to authorities and was processed at the county jail. Sheriff Fred Thompson noted that Gessler had outstanding warrants for failure to appear. Thompson said Richland police officers will talk to the suspect since they were handling the case.
According to Constable Jeff Stephens of the Richland Township Police Department, Theresa Bobot had driven to her daughter's home just outside of city limits on Barton Road to pick up her grandson to take him to school. As she was pulling into driveway, she observed a man approaching on foot waving his arms asking for help, stating "they're going to kill me" and asking that people call 911.
Stephens said the man entered the vehicle. Bobot exited the car, and the man got behind the wheel and hit the gas, taking off in reverse at high speed.
Bobot became caught in the car door and was dragged some distance before she became free, suffering serious injuries. Bobot was transported to Wheeling Hospital for treatment. Her car and purse were later found abandoned.
DeFrank may be reached at rdefrank@timesleaderonline.com
