JEFFERSON TWP — State police have arrested a 29-year-old township man suspected in an attempted carjacking at a convenience store last week after he allegedly returned to the scene of that crime and stole a vehicle left running in the parking lot.

Troopers searching for the stolen 2001 Ford Explorer found it Wednesday in the driveway of a home in Vandergrift, Armstrong County.

Inside his mother’s house, the suspect, Matthew J. Peltz, was arrested. Police said he admitted stealing the Explorer.

Peltz’s arrest ended a manhunt that began Jan. 29 after police suspected he went on a crime spree during which he tried to rob a woman’s car at gunpoint before stealing another vehicle and holding up a store in Buffalo Township.

Police later recovered the gun, which turned out to be an Airsoft-style gun.

For now, Peltz is in the Butler County Prison on charges he stole the Explorer on Tuesday afternoon at the BP/Fueland store on Dinnerbell Road in Jefferson Township.

But he could be charged as soon as today in connection with last week’s other crimes, according to lead investigator Trooper Adam Peth.

“He hope to question him today and we hope he’s cooperative,” Peth said this morning.