By Terri T. Johnson

Staff writer

ttjohnso@observer-reporter.com

McMURRAY - When Peters Township police responded to a report of three suspicious men walking around Doubletree Drive Saturday night, they uncovered an underage drinking party.

Twenty people were cited, including a 16-year-old who lives with his mother in Mt. Lebanon but who hosted the party in his father's Venetia home, police said.

None of those cited is from Peters Township.

The boy's father was out of town, according to Peters police Capt. Michael Yanchak, who said the boy was not supposed to be at the house.

Police were called at 9:30 p.m. and found three youths outside. When officers knocked on the door of the house, the lights were turned off and no one responded.

While officers obtained a search warrant from the on-duty magistrate, District Judge Jay Dutton, other police remained around the house, Yanchak said, to ensure their safety and that they were released to a responsible adult.

Officers returned about midnight with the warrant and found 29 people inside. Of those, 20 were cited for underage drinking and were released to an adult.

When officers entered the house, several of the juveniles attempted to flee from the garage, Yanchak said. They were met by police.

Cited were Ryan Mackin, 18, and Kaitlyn Bailey, 18, both of Beechview, and Daniel Deulin, 18, and Steven Stombaugh, 19, both of Mt. Lebanon.

Also cited were six girls from Mt. Lebanon ranging in age from 15 to 17 and 10 boys ranging in age from 16 to 17, including the host. Most of the boys were from Mt. Lebanon, with one from Brookline, police said.

Police used a Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board grant to pay additional officers called out to process citations.

Yanchak said about six additional officers were needed.

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