6 arrested for drugs, gun charges over weekend in Zone 5

PITTSBURGH, PA – In four separate incidents over the weekend, Zone 5 Officers recovered six hand guns and a large amount of drugs including nearly 1,100 stamp bags of heroin, cocaine, crack, crystal methamphetamine, marijuana, and prescription pills. Six individuals were arrested.

The first incident occurred on July 3 when detectives observed an occupied vehicle parked in the lot of the Target store in East Liberty. The detectives smelled a strong odor of marijuana as they approached the vehicle. The driver, later identified as Elizabeth Stout, 27, from Hampton Township, had her 1-year old daughter in the vehicle with her. A search of the vehicle recovered 50 stamp bags of heroin, a bag of powdered cocaine, a bag of crack cocaine, a bag of marijuana, 14 Oxycodone pills, and a digital scale. Stout faces charges of felony drug offenses, possession of drug paraphernalia, and child endangerment.

On July 15, Officers patrolling East Liberty observed a vehicle with a suspended registration plate in the area of Broad Street and Centre Avenue at approximately 12:20 a.m. The officers attempted to stop the vehicle as it turned into East Liberty Gardens. As soon as the vehicle came to a stop, the passenger fled on foot. One officer gave chase. The male who fled discarded a .380 caliber pistol as he ran. He was not captured. A search of the car recovered a bag of pure heroin, numerous stamp bags of heroin, and an undisclosed amount of cash. The driver, identified as Carlos M. Harris, 42, of Homewood, was charged with felony drug offenses, felony firearm violations, criminal conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia, and vehicle code violations.

 Then on July 5 at approximately 3:09 a.m., Officers conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of Enterprise Street. The driver and passenger were making movements consistent with a person either trying to hide or retrieve something. Officers identified the driver as Justen Chaney, 29, from Allentown. The passenger was identified as Felicia Thomas, 21, of New Kensington. Officers asked Chaney to exit the vehicle and he complied. When officers asked Thomas to exit, she refused prompting the Officers to physically remove her. As they did, a .380 caliber pistol fell from her waistband. Chaney was charged with felony firearms violations, receiving stolen property, and multiple vehicle code violations. Thomas was charged with felony firearms violations and receiving stolen property.