Theft reports lead to drug charges in South Strabane
A former Westmoreland County man was arrested Saturday night on drug charges after South Strabane Township police stopped a suspicious car reportedly involved in thefts at Home Depot earlier in the day.
Patrick Albert Williams, 26, formerly of Hyde Park, was a passenger in a car stopped about 9 p.m. near Murtland Avenue and Oak Spring Road.
About 7:30 p.m., police were called to Home Depot for a report of theft of items. A white Chrysler Sebring with South Carolina license plates was believed to be involved.
Earlier in the day, the same vehicle also was seen when items were reported stolen from the store. A man pushing a buggy was seen running to the car and loading items into the vehicle.
About 8 p.m., police noticed the same vehicle parked in the Washington Mall lot near Home Depot. When police saw the car leave, a traffic stop was initiated.
Williams was a front-seat passenger in the vehicle. A pack of Newport cigarettes was on the floor near Williams, and inside the pack were 13 stamp bags of suspected heroin, according to police.
Police also learned Williams is wanted on a Westmoreland County bench warrant after he did not appear for a probation revocation hearing in January. He pleaded guilty in 2011 to simple assault and was sentenced to two to 23 months in jail.
He was arraigned on charges of possession of heroin and paraphernalia before District Judge James Ellis and placed in the Washington County jail on $50,000 bond.