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N. Strabane man jailed on drugs, warrants

2 min read
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A North Strabane Township man who apparently went into a restroom at The Meadows Casino to change clothes in an apparent effort to avoid detection by township police Saturday morning is facing drug charges after he was found with a partial brick of suspected heroin along with several empty stamp bags of the suspected drug and other paraphernalia.

Joshua Allen Popp, 32, of Greenwood Drive, was taken into custody on outstanding Allegheny County bench warrants and placed in Washington County jail.

Police were initially called about 10:35 a.m. to a room at Hyatt Place, 212 Racetrack Road, for a report of $600 stolen from a wallet owned by James “Wolf” Nelson of Canonsburg. Nelson told Officer Jonathan Miles he had been sleeping on the floor when the money was stolen from his wallet, which was in his back pants pocket. He was at the room with others.

Miles said police were told Popp reportedly just left the room with drugs when he learned police were called. Popp also reportedly knew he was wanted on outstanding warrants.

After confirming Popp was wanted in Allegheny County, Miles alerted casino security. One security officer reported a man matching the description entered the casino through the racetrack entrance. Security retraced Popp’s movements and discovered he had gone into a restroom and changed clothes. Popp was then seen going into another restroom on the opposite side of the casino, Miles said.

Miles and Sgt. Keith Hutter entered the restroom and found Popp in a bathroom stall. When police announced their presence, Popp reportedly threw some paraphernalia into the toilet. Miles recovered two empty stamp bags along with two small, wet balls of cotton tips that were on the floor near the toilet.

Popp had a backpack that had clothing and personal items along with syringes, empty stamp bags and the partial brick of heroin that field-tested positive for the drug. Police also found three cellphones.

Chartiers Township police also assisted.

Charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver heroin are pending against Popp.

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