Staff writer
sbeveridge@observer-reporter.com
A Monessen man and three others are facing charges after he shot himself in the hand Sunday while playing with what police said was a stolen gun.
Andre Grogan, 22, of 1611 Maple Ave., called for an ambulance at a Finleyville service station after he shot himself with one of three handguns that were stolen in a Friday burglary at the home of one of his Monessen friends, court records indicate.
On Wednesday, Grogan was placed in Westmoreland County Jail on $2,500 bond after being arraigned on a charge of receiving stolen property before District Judge Joseph Dalfonso.
The shooting prompted Monessen and Monongahela police to go Monday to a residence at 514 Fourth St., New Eagle, where they recovered a 9 mm handgun that also had been stolen from Joseph and Holly Minno.
Their son, Joseph Minno Jr., 22, of 26 Pennsylvania Blvd., and Johnathan Lexie, 21, of 115 Graham Ave., both of Monessen, then were arrested on charges of burglary, criminal conspiracy, theft, receiving stolen property and two firearms charges, court records show. They are being held in Westmoreland on $50,000 bonds on accusations they stole the weapons and a safe containing coins and credit cards from the Minnos, court records show.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of another man, Zachary Benning, 20, of 70 Diary Road, Charleroi, on charges of receiving stolen property, criminal conspiracy and possession of an instrument of a crime. He is accused of sawing open the safe, according to court records.