Firearm Discovered at Pittsburgh Airport Security Checkpoint, Charges Filed

Firearm Discovered at Pittsburgh Airport Security Checkpoint, Charges Filed
Pittsburgh International Airport

PITTSBURGH, PA – Charges have been filed against Scott Playford of Renfrew, PA, after a firearm was found in his backpack at Pittsburgh International Airport. The incident occurred at 2:29 PM on May 21, 2024, when Transportation Security Administration officers at the airport’s main security checkpoint detected the handgun and promptly alerted Allegheny County Police.

Playford, a 45-year-old Canadian citizen residing legally in Pennsylvania, was identified as the backpack’s owner. He does not hold a concealed carry permit and now faces a misdemeanor charge for carrying a firearm without a license. Following the discovery, the firearm was seized, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified of the incident.

The Transportation Security Administration warns that passengers who bring firearms to airport security checkpoints could face federal civil fines up to $10,000, with fines for repeat offenders reaching as high as $13,910.

  • $1 million-winning scratch-off ticket sold in Chester County

    West Chester, Pennsylvania — A Pennsylvania Lottery player has won $1 million after purchasing a Jumbo Bucks Scratch-Off ticket in Chester County, the Lottery announced Monday.

    The winning ticket was sold at Goshen Beverage Center, located at 102 Turner Lane in West Chester. The retailer will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the top-prize ticket.

    Jumbo Bucks is a $10 scratch-off game that offers multiple prize tiers, including several $1 million top prizes. The Pennsylvania Lottery does not know in advance where winning tickets will be sold, as scratch-offs are distributed randomly.

    The identity of the winner has not yet been disclosed. Players who win prizes of more than $5,000 should be aware that winnings are subject to applicable tax withholdings.

    Lottery officials urge winners to sign the back of their tickets and contact the Lottery at 1-800-692-7481 for guidance on claiming their prize.

    Scratch-off prizes must be claimed before expiration

    Scratch-Off prizes must be claimed within one year of the game’s end-sale date, which is posted on the Pennsylvania Lottery’s official website.

    Jumbo Bucks tickets and other scratch-off games are available at retailers statewide. Players can check game rules, odds, and claim procedures at palottery.com or through the official mobile app.

    The Pennsylvania Lottery continues to remind the public that all games should be played responsibly, and help is available for individuals experiencing gambling-related issues.

  • Delco woman facing charges for defecating on car during road rage

    ‘Delco Pooper’ arrested after viral road rage defecation incident in Prospect Park

    A woman identified as Christina Marie Solometo, 44, of Ridley Park, has been arrested and charged in connection with a bizarre and widely circulated road rage incident in Delaware County that ended with her defecating on another driver’s car.

    The incident took place on Tuesday, April 29, at the intersection of Fourth Street and Madison Avenue in Prospect Park. Police say the confrontation began when Solometo, driving a black Nissan, honked at a silver sedan that failed to turn on a green arrow. The encounter escalated when Solometo claimed the other driver mocked her and followed her vehicle.

    After stopping, Solometo exited her vehicle and, instead of engaging physically, climbed onto the hood of the silver sedan and defecated. The act was recorded by a bystander and quickly spread online, earning her the nickname “Delco Pooper.” In the footage, the woman is seen smiling before driving away.

    “I wanted to punch her in the face, but I pooped on her car instead and went home,” Solometo later admitted, according to Prospect Park Police. The department arrested her on Thursday, May 1.

    Woman faces multiple charges, court date set

    During her arrest, Solometo told police she believed the other driver was chasing her and that she feared being attacked. She also cited a personal “sickness” and added, “It was a clean poop. I didn’t even have to wipe.”

    Solometo has been charged with indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, harassment, and depositing waste on a highway. She posted a $1,000 cash bail and is scheduled to appear in court on May 19 at 9 a.m.

    Police emphasized the disruption caused by the incident, stating, “It can’t happen in this community. The recognition a town gets over this kind of thing is really unwelcome.”

    The video has sparked a wave of social media reactions, memes, and national attention, though officials stressed the seriousness of the matter despite its viral nature.

  • Philly player pockets $798K in instant lottery win

    PHILADELPHIA, PA — A single Fast Play ticket purchased at a neighborhood grocery store has delivered a massive $798,244 payday to one lucky player in Philadelphia.

    The winning Deep Pockets ticket was sold at Mason Grocery, located at 353 Lyceum Avenue, on Thursday, May 1. The store will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the ticket, according to the Pennsylvania Lottery.

    Deep Pockets is a $20 Fast Play game featuring progressive top prizes that start at $350,000 and increase with each ticket sold until the jackpot is hit. Unlike traditional scratch-offs, Fast Play tickets print on demand and deliver instant results without the need to wait for a drawing.

    The identity of the ticket holder has not been released. Players who win top prizes are encouraged to sign the back of the ticket immediately and contact the Pennsylvania Lottery at 1-800-692-7481.

    All lottery prizes over $5,000 are subject to applicable tax withholdings. Fast Play prizes must be claimed within one year of the ticket’s purchase date.