Washington man arrested after being found with drugs, stolen gun
A Washington man was arrested early Tuesday when city police found a stolen gun and suspected cocaine during a search of a home on Maple Avenue after being called there for a disturbance.
Travis Nick Larson, 23, of 31 Sutton Lane, was taken into custody after city police served a search warrant at 137 Maple Ave. The criminal complaint and city police report both indicated he lived at the Maple residence but his address was changed at his arraignment.
City police Officer Johnathan Miller said police were called for a loud disturbance outside 137 Maple just before 2 a.m. A 911 caller reported a disturbance in the alley behind the residence. Two women were reportedly smashing windows on a Jeep parked in the alley.
When Miller arrived, Shayla Chandler, 18, of 52 Rural Ave., Washington, took off running and he gave chase. When he caught her, they went to the door at 137 Maple. Miller said he could smell marijuana coming from inside the house. Chandler told him that Larson had drugs and guns inside the house. One occupant of the house gave police a bag of marijuana. Police secured the residence and obtained a search warrant from District Judge Jay Weller.
Police served the warrant and found a Sig Sauer .45-caliber handgun that had been reported stolen by a West Mifflin man inside a closet near the dining room. Police also found a bag of marijuana, digital scale, two pills and two bags of suspected cocaine in a second-floor bathroom. Also found was $3,030. Inside the living room of the home, police found a marijuana blunt and a small bag of marijuana. Paraphernalia, including a cutting agent, rubber bands and small plastic bags, were found in the basement on a table.
In January 2011, when he was 18, Larson caused Washington Hospital to be put on lockdown when he ran into the facility after fleeing from state police who were attempting to stop his vehicle. Larson got out of the car and ran. Police found a two handguns in the vehicle.
Larson was arraigned before Weller on charges of carrying a firearm without a license, person not to possess a firearm, receiving stolen property, possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession of paraphernalia and marijuana. He was placed in Washington County Jail on $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 22 before District Judge Robert Redlinger.
Chandler will be charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.