Crime DME

Slippery Rock University police accused a cyclist of attempting to extort a driver into paying for damage after a crash to avoid police involvement.

Conner John Vieira, 21, of Chesterland, Ohio, was charged Tuesday, Nov. 18, with misdemeanor theft by extortion following an Oct. 20 crash at the intersection of Kiester Road and Service Drive.

Police said the crash occurred when Vieira reportedly swerved around a man’s vehicle on his cycle and struck a pole. Police said Vieira had ample time and room to brake or turn to avoid the pole.

Police said Vieira then attempted to coerce the man in the vehicle into paying for the damage to the cycle by telling him this was not the first time he had been involved in crashes with vehicles while on it.

Vieira claimed he had received a $40,000 payout after being involved in a similar crash with a professor on campus. Vieira reportedly told the man they could settle without police involvement if the man gave him $85, but the man refused to pay.

Police said Vieira continued by telling the man it would be in his best interest to pay as he would be accusing the man of a traffic offense and Vieira said things usually went in his favor when police are involved. The man still refused to pay.

Police arrived on the scene about an hour later. They said Vieira has a pattern of avoidable crashes between his cycle and vehicles and of asking the other driver to pay to avoid police involvement.

Police said camera footage from Vieira’s helmet showed multiple incidents where a novice cyclist could have avoided the crash.

Vieira’s preliminary hearing has yet to be scheduled.