Morning Roundup: Police say Texas man brought undeclared firearm, marijuana to Pittsburgh airport
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, April 25:
Police: Texas man brought undeclared firearm, marijuana to Pittsburgh airport
A Texas man was arrested Wednesday after Allegheny County Police said he brought an undeclared firearm and a “large amount of marijuana” into Pittsburgh International Airport.
TSA officials notified county police around 3:30 p.m. after the gun and marijuana were discovered inside a passenger’s checked luggage during a routine inspection.
County police identified the passenger as Stephon Wilson, 28, of Houston, Texas.
Police said Wilson did not have a valid concealed carry permit or a medical marijuana card.
County police seized the firearm and the drugs. The FBI and DEA also were notified, officials said.
Wilson is facing multiple charges, including carrying a firearm without a license and possession of marijuana and mushrooms.
Court records indicate Wilson is in Allegheny County Jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 6.
Passengers who bring firearms into an airport checkpoint can face federal civil fines from the TSA of up to $10,000, officials said. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $13,910.
1 injured in crash on Liberty Avenue
One person was taken to the hospital following a crash on West Liberty Avenue early Thursday morning.
The wreck happened around 4 a.m. near the intersection with Pauline Avenue, on the border of Pittsburgh’s Brookline and Beechview neighborhoods, TribLive news partner WTAE reported.
The condition of the person injured in the crash was not immediately available.
Pittsburgh police to collect old medications
Pittsburgh police on Saturday will collect old and unneeded medications for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The collection is free and anonymous.
Drop-off boxes will be located at the following sites:
- Police headquarters: 1203 Western Ave.
- Zone 1: 1501 Brighton Road
- Zone 2: 2000 Centre Ave.
- Zone 3: 830 E. Warrington Ave.
- Zone 4: 5858 Northumberland St.
- Zone 5: 1401 Washington Blvd.
- Zone 6: 312 S. Main St.
Smithfield Street Bridge to close this weekend
Commuters will have to find a way around the Smithfield Street Bridge in Downtown Pittsburgh this weekend.
PennDOT says the span will be closed in both directions between Fort Pitt Boulevard and Carson Street from 10 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Monday, weather permitting.
Crews will conduct roadway, median and concrete repairs, bridge deck overlay work and line painting.
PennDOT officials said emergency vehicles and buses will be permitted on the bridge during the closure. The sidewalk will remain open for pedestrians.
Julia Felton is a TribLive reporter covering Pittsburgh City Hall and other news in and around Pittsburgh. A La Roche University graduate, she joined the Trib in 2020. She can be reached at jfelton@triblive.com.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.