Police: Suspect apprehended in Mt. Lebanon with weapons, bomb components in car
Mt. Lebanon police on Thursday evening took into custody a suspect who allegedly made social media threats against state and federal buildings and was found with numerous weapons and bomb-making components in his car.
Police apprehended the suspect without incident at a traffic stop near Washington Road and Woodhaven Drive in Mt. Lebanon. Police warned the public to avoid the area as the Allegheny County Police bomb squad removed and secured the items, including materials used in making improvised explosive devices.
Mt. Lebanon officers were alerted at 5:15 p.m., when police in Whitehall Borough issued an alert to be on the lookout for the suspect, who was described as dangerous and driving a Mercedes sedan and potentially armed with numerous firearms.
According to the information from Whitehall police, the suspect recently made threats on social media to “blow up” a state office building with an intent to get “gunned down by police.” The suspect also allegedly posted threats targeting CIA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Additional details about the suspect, including their name, weren’t immediately available.
Allegheny County Police, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are participating in the investigation.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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