Smoke billowed from the two-story, log cabin home on Three . (Pennsylvania State Police), Names released of 2 people found murdered at Westmoreland County home. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. There are a lot of events similar in nature that have taken place and a lot of overlapping layers of investigation -- from the local to the county to the state to the federal government have put their heads together in an attempt to sort this out and figure out exactly what happened, why it happened, and how it happened.". "But I know that I personally felt even more deeply his kindness, warmth, and ability to communicate peace and love in the most simple and profound ways with all those whom he encountered. Randy Gardner said authorities believe Steban used an AR-15 rifle to kill the couple. His background with the department includes work in K9, School Resource Officer, Public Information, Tactics and First Line Supervision. The federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting township police with that investigation and has offered a $5,000 reward for information. They believe they have the weapon used in the shootings, but must await ballistic tests, Gardner said. In that case, state police and agents from the state Attorney Generals Office raided his home in 2011 and found more than 84 grams of cocaine and nearly 100 grams of methamphetamine with a combined street value of $20,000. A Pennsylvania family of four has been found dead following an apparent murder-suicide, police say. All were subsequently found murdered. He lived for a time in Philadelphia,working as a pharmacist, and left when a child died as a result of drugs taken from said pharmacy. The red pick-up truck matching the description of the one Penn Township police were looking for in connection to a double homicide has been found @WPXI pic.twitter.com/Ak9papeiCE. KDKA's Meghan Schiller talked to three eyewitnesses who were posted up a little further down Route 30. District Attorney John Peck identified the. We had three separate shootings in south Hempfield and Sewickley townships over the weekend, and weve developed information that hes a suspect, Limani said. Penn Hills. Police are searching for Victor Steban as a person of interest in shots fired at homes in Westmoreland County. Township police said they were called to the 600 block of Mohn Street at about . The Blue Eyed Six In 1878, Charles Drews, Frank Stichler, Henry F.. All three were relieved it ended peacefully. "There's no words, really. Peck said that she initially was wounded in the gunfire. Here's why. Level Green Towing 724-744-2191 or Gombach Towing 724-744-4430, Phone scams are incredibly common. ***Also any animal issue person can contact 1-800-CRITTER for Critter Control. Person must have fingerprint cards. The witnesses described Steban as "just marching," as if he was waiting for police to "make the first move.". About 20 hours later, police say, Steban went to the Claridge section of Penn Township and gunned down Jacob Erdeljac, 41, and Mara Casale, 27. Murder suspect waited for couple that he shot, killed outside Westmoreland County home, police say. He worked at hospitals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including hospitals in Allentown, Easton and Bethlehem. a car explosion along the 1100 block of Clay Pike. Its just been devastating. Police said the truck was involved in a double homicide investigation and those inside were considered to be armed and dangerous. Penn Township Police Department Penn Township, Westmoreland County, PA Penn Township Police Department Department Contact Information Address: 2000 Commercial Ct, Irwin, PA 15642 map Emergency Number: 911 Non-Emergency Number: 724-863-1119 Police Chief - John Otto Office: 724-863-9113 Email: jotto@penntwp.org (AP Photo/Peter Cosgrove). We were not home at the time, but my teenage granddaughter was there, and one bullet missed her by inches. A Duquesne University spokesperson said the professor's death was a "tragedy for all involved.". Police declined to confirm the identity of the alleged shooter or the victim but did disclose the address where the shooting happened, 1150 S. Market St. in Penn Township. Steban. Between July 5 and July 7, 2017, four young men were reported missing in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. Beloved Penn. An officer then walked down the driveway and found shell casings that were consistent with those from a rifle. Our thoughts are with all those who are affected by this terrible tragedy.". They searched a camouflage backpack he was carrying and pulled out a gun. Related: Man, woman found murdered in Penn Township home Police explained that Victor Steban was lying in wait for them, allegedly in retaliation for feeling disrespected by Erdeljac. Feb. 3, 2021, 9:05 AM PST. Follow Crime Map Site Home About Us About Us Reporting party had applied for a part time job for proof reading on a site for a magazine. Steban was wanted for questioning in connection with multiple criminal incidents over the weekend in Westmoreland County, including a double murder in Penn Township. Police are asking anyone who may be able to identify the individual in the attached photo, to please call our department at 610-678-3431 or submit a tip below. When officers couldn't obtain a response from the residents in the home, SWAT officers were called out to assist. 2023 Cox Media Group. Dozens of bags of evidence. (AP Photo/Pool, File). Eyewitnesses described the open-highway arrest: a swarm of police officers, panicked drivers and a helicopter hovering overhead. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/mgMuU3tRry. He's already charged with two counts of homicide, burglary, robbery and other charges in connection to the double murder in Penn Township. Miranda went on to confess that she was part of a Satanic cult and had killed over 20 people, though police found no evidence that was true. His prior charges include felony aggravated assault, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and illegally possessing a firearm. They said they heard the police sirens and spotted the Pennsylvania State Police helicopter hovering low above the BP gas station on Arona Road. (AP Photo, file). CRIMEWATCH and the Eye Design are registered trademarks of CRIMEWATCH Technologies, Inc. 2023 CRIMEWATCH Technologies, Inc. To follow Penn Township Police Department, click the button below. The Penn Township Police Department has identified four areas considered to be priorities and have a list of tasks associated with producing the desired results in those areas. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. She was so fun to be around; she lit up a room any time she came in. Dubbed the "House of Horrors" killer, Gary Heidnik murdered two women in his North Philadelphia home, where he held six victims in chains, raping them and using electrical shock on them during 1986 and 1987. A beloved professor was stabbed to death in a Tuesday murder-suicide at his Wilkins Township, Penn., home. "For us to not look at those events collectively and see what we can draw from them would be foolish. On Saturday night, investigators found weapons inside Stebans home after responding for a fire. Shortly after 8 a.m. Monday, police responded to a call for two people down in a driveway with a large amount of blood. VIDEO: Fact vs. Fiction: How safe is COVID-19 vaccine for children? He jumped into the truck and drove away. Woman, man dead after apparent murder-suicide in Penn Hills identified. There were no survivors. They had motorcycles. John Otto, Chief of Police 724-863-9113The Chief of Police is the Commander of the Penn Township Police Department. Steban said before his court appearance that his actions were all about getting Rooster, an apparent reference to Denis Rooster Katona, a former national leader of the Pagans motorcycle gang who served time in a federal prison. Marinus Iwuchukwu and his Wilkins Township home. A State Police trooper walks with a rifle after the arrest of Victor Steban on Tuesday in North Huntingdon. Allegheny County announces Summer Concert Series. He is charged with double homicide in relation to the stabbing deaths of this father and aunt in Penn Township. PTPD is the business office only. Though Dr. Iwuchukwu had filed for divorce in 2020, the split had not yet been finalized, the outlet reports. We want to speak with him. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Steban is well-known by local law enforcement, considering his criminal history goes back decades. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The Conestoga had lived in peace with settlers for decades, and manyhad been converted to Christianity, but they were blamed regardless. Duquesne Light confirmed Erdeljac was an employee. Detectives scoured every inch of a Penn Township property where 27-year-old Mara Casale and 41-year-old Jacob Erdeljac were found shot to death early Monday morning. Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source, Paul Peirce, Joe Napsha And Renatta Signorini, fatal shooting of two people in Penn Township. "It looked like he got tased and he just dropped like a sack of potatoes to the ground and then there were so many officers on top of him and they cuffed him and they kind of dispersed a bit," said witness Jessica Rain-Green. Download the CRIMEWATCH app and follow Penn Township Police Department. I'm kind of speechless, because he was a good guy.". Steban is. "I'm still looking across the street," Carl Mosley told the outlet. Sharps can be taken to Rescue 6 for disposal. May 19, 2021 / 7:30 AM Chambersburg ( Photos) HARRISON CITY, Pa. (KDKA) -- The man accused in a Westmoreland County crime spree that included the double murder of a local couple is headed to trial. Chief John Otto was born and raised in the Harrison Park section of Penn Township and graduated from Penn Trafford High School. Steban was originally taken to the North Huntingdon Police Department for questioning but was later moved to the Penn Township Police Department. Family and friends described Casale as an angel on earth. Eventually, a group of vigilantes dubbed the Paxton Boys would attempt to ensure their safety via themurderof the native Conestogapeople living near present-day Millersville. Victor Steban, the man who is a person of interest in several crimes in Westmoreland County, is in custody. He has earned a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice from Edinboro University, a masters degree in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College, and is a graduate of the 249thsession of the FBI National Academy. County Coroner Ken Bacha said the two were found dead inside a home in the 2100 block of Claridge Elliott Road in Penn Township around 8 a.m. Monday. According to state police, the investigation began over the weekend when three different houses were shot up in Hempfield and Sewickley Townships. A company spokesperson released a statement, saying: "We can confirm that one of two deceased people found Monday morning at a home in Penn Township in Westmoreland County was employed by Duquesne Light Company. In the aftermath of the French and Indian War, antagonism grew between the native tribesand the European settlers who were encroaching on their territory on the Pennsylvania frontier. He said to police that he shot 27-year-old Mara Casale first, and then as she was trying to get away, he shot her two more times. Police Chief Robert Rizzo were searching for Steban, who he described as armed and dangerous, since the fire at 11 p.m. Saturday damaged his home. He has completed all National Incident Management courses and has extensive training in Critical Incident response and Incident Command. It. The truck, which was found, had been stolen from the victims home. Police paperwork shows the address is one that Steban has given to the courts before. Zechman was acquitted, but the other five were found guilty and executed by hanging. Mara Casale, 27, of Penn Township was discovered fatally shot on Monday, May 17, 2021. When he couldnt find any, he returned outside. Source: Spring Township Police Department Submit a Tip Read more The two then conspired to kill Trimble's wife, Randi, with the goal of splitting her $100,000 insurance policy. He displayed no remorse during the 15-minute proceedings and was placed in the Westmoreland County Prison without bond, pending a preliminary hearing. Following his arrest, the Allegheny County Bomb Squad was brought to the N. Thompson Lane home. Bernard Williams was 17 when he used a hammer to brutally beat state Rep. WilliamTelekto death, stealing about $100 in cash and the stateman's car. In this Nov. 3, 1986 file photo, Nicodemo Scarfo, lower right, and his nephew, Philip Leonetti, lower left, sit in court in Atlantic City, N.J., when the two were brought before a judge to hear new charges of racketeering, loansharking and gambling. I just feel safer that hes gone., 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved, Courtesy of Westmoreland County District Attorney. A viewer sent video to KDKA that shows Steban casually walking down Rt. They held him on the ground for quite some time, Kibler said. Westmoreland County Det. On Aug. 5, 2014, Michael Lapaglia was charged with murder and robbery in Jack Parkes' death. The most infamous murders and massacres in Pennsylvania history. Investigators warned the public that was considered armed and dangerous. Steban admitted to walking up to the house on foot with an AR-15 rifle and waiting until the couple came home on a motorcycle, court documents explained. She wouldve done anything for a total stranger, and thats how she deserves to be remembered. He was also the author and editor of various books. NEW! PTPD has 5 business days to get form approved. his actions were all about getting Rooster, in reference to Dennis Katona. Police Department for 24 years, serving as Chief since 2011. He killed three people before killing himself. Williams is currently serving a life sentence for the crime. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. After police arrived, he shoteight girls, killing five, before killing himself. RAW: No injuries reported after explosive used to destroy car in North Huntingdon Twp. PENN TOWNSHIP, Pa. Channel 11 is learning more about the couple killed Sunday in Penn Township and for the first time, were hearing from someone who knew Mara Casale. . The victims were Dean A. Finocchiaro, age 19; Thomas C. Meo, age 21; Jimi T. Patrick, age 19; and Mark R. Sturgis, age 22. 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