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.

• Man Runs for His Life After Restaurant Argument, Shot in Back by Armed Suspect in Pennsylvania

  Allegheny County detectives say a 24-year-old suspect chased a fleeing man through Homestead and shot him multiple times following an altercation outside a Sixth Street restaurant.

  HOMESTEAD, PA — A 43-year-old man who tried to escape an armed confrontation outside a Homestead restaurant was chased down and shot multiple times in the back and legs, according to Allegheny County Police, who have now charged a 24-year-old suspect with criminal homicide.

  Dejahne Neal, 24, was charged Thursday in connection with the September 18 shooting of Andrew Lenhart, 43, who died four days later at an area hospital.

  According to the Allegheny County Police Department, the shooting followed an argument outside a restaurant along Sixth Street in Homestead, southeast of Pittsburgh.

  Detectives say surveillance video and witness statements helped establish what happened as Lenhart attempted to flee.

  Argument outside restaurant turns deadly

  County 911 dispatchers received a shooting report at approximately 9:20 p.m. September 18 in the 600 block of Amity Street.

  First responders arrived to find Lenhart suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

  The Allegheny County Police Homicide Unit took over the investigation.

  Detectives determined that Lenhart had been involved in an altercation outside a Sixth Street restaurant with an individual later identified as Neal.

  According to investigators, Neal pulled out a firearm during the confrontation.

  Lenhart ran from the area, but police allege Neal pursued him and fired several shots, striking him in the back and legs.

  Authorities have not disclosed what started the argument or whether the two knew each other.

  Surveillance footage helps identify suspect

  Investigators used witness interviews and surveillance footage to reconstruct the encounter and identify Neal as the suspected shooter.

  The investigation established that Lenhart was fleeing when the shots were fired, according to the department’s account.

  Lenhart remained hospitalized in critical condition following the September 18 attack.

  He was pronounced dead September 22.

  Suspect charged with criminal homicide

  Following the investigation, Neal was charged with criminal homicide and transported to the Allegheny County Jail pending preliminary arraignment.

  Police have not released additional information about the weapon involved or whether any other individuals participated in the confrontation.

  The Allegheny County Police investigation remains ongoing.

• Six-Month Drug Probe Ends With Major Cocaine Seizure in Lancaster

  Drug Task Force investigators say a six-month probe included multiple controlled buys before a search turned up 856 grams of cocaine.

  LANCASTER, PA – A Lancaster man is facing drug charges after investigators said they found nearly a kilogram of cocaine, more than $12,500 in cash and drug paraphernalia during a search tied to a six-month investigation.

  Tomas Eliu Hernandez, 42, was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Lancaster County Drug Task Force.

  

  Investigators said undercover officers or confidential informants made multiple cocaine purchases from Hernandez using pre-recorded Task Force funds before search warrants were executed Sept. 24.

  Search Turns Up 856 Grams of Cocaine

  Task Force members searched Hernandez’s residence in the 500 block of East Frederick Street, his vehicle and a garage in the 200 block of Rock Street.

  Investigators said they recovered 856 grams of cocaine powder with an estimated value of more than $85,000.

  More than $12,500 in cash was also seized, including $400 in pre-recorded buy money allegedly used during the investigation.

  Police said Hernandez admitted the drugs found in his residence belonged to him.

  Hernandez Posts $100K Bail

  Judge Andrew LeFever set bail at $100,000.

  Hernandez posted bail through a bail bondsman and was released, according to the Task Force.

  The case remains pending.

  The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.
• Penn Township Lottery Player Scores $350K Cash 5 Jackpot

  A ticket sold at the Level Green Volunteer Fire Department Social Club matched all five numbers in Tuesday night’s drawing.

  PENN TOWNSHIP, PA – A Pennsylvania Lottery player scored a $350,000 Cash 5 with Quick Cash jackpot with a ticket sold in Westmoreland County.

  The winning ticket matched all five numbers drawn Tuesday — 6, 21, 27, 29 and 38 — to win the jackpot, less applicable withholding.

  The ticket was sold at the Level Green Volunteer Fire Department Social Club, 536 State Route 130 in Penn Township. The retailer will receive a $500 bonus for selling it.

  Fire Department Social Club Sells $350K Winner

  The Pennsylvania Lottery said the ticket matched every number in the Oct. 6 Cash 5 with Quick Cash drawing.

  Winners are not identified until prizes are claimed and tickets are validated.

  Main Cash 5 prizes must be claimed within one year of the drawing date, while Quick Cash prizes must be claimed within one year of the purchase date.

  More Than 8,800 Other Tickets Also Won

  The Lottery said more than 8,800 other Cash 5 with Quick Cash tickets won prizes in the same drawing.

  Players are encouraged to check every ticket and claim lower-tier prizes at participating Lottery retailers.

  Anyone holding the jackpot-winning ticket can contact the nearest Pennsylvania Lottery office or call 1-800-692-7481 for claim instructions.