Wilkinsburg man arrested on drug charges
A Wilkinsburg man was arrested early Saturday by North Strabane Township police after they said they found him with suspected heroin while assisting Canonsburg police, who were investigating a report of a disturbance.
Pernell Rashaw Thompson, 29, initially identified himself to North Strabane police as Pernell Ferguson, but police determined his correct identity and learned that he was wanted on a bench warrant in Allegheny County.
Canonsburg police had been called to McDonald’s restaurant on Bobby Vinton Boulevard about 1 a.m. for a report of a disturbance. Thompson and the other person involved were released after telling officers they were staying at the nearby Super 8 motel. A dispatcher then notified police that Thompson was wanted in Allegheny County.
North Strabane police went to the Super 8 and spotted a vehicle backed into a spot that matched the description of the vehicle that had been at the restaurant. The occupant of the vehicle stayed in it for about 20 minutes before moving it to another spot. A man, later identified as Thompson, approached the vehicle. He was ordered to show his hands and when he did not, the officer drew his weapon and ordered him to get on the ground.
When police told Thompson that he was wanted, he reportedly told them they had the wrong person. When he identified himself as Ferguson, police ran the name but found no record. A screen appeared on the mobile terminal for Thompson with several aliases, including Pernell Ferguson. A photograph also confirmed his identity, police said.
Police searched Thompson and said they found suspected marijuana in the pocket of his jeans. He was then taken to Washington County jail, where a corrections officer reported finding a large amount of suspected heroin in the area of his crotch during a strip search. Police returned to the jail and retrieved 146 stamp bags.
Thompson was arraigned before District Judge James Ellis on charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver heroin and false identification to police. He was placed in jail on $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 15 before District Judge Jay Weller.