New Kensington man, fugitive since February, arrested in Pittsburgh, faces new gun charges

A New Kensington man wanted on multiple warrants now faces additional gun charges after being taken into custody Tuesday by the Allegheny County Sheriff’s deputies.

William Rodgers, 28, has been a fugitive since February when he walked out of Renewal Center halfway house on Boulevard of the Allies in Downtown Pittsburgh following sentencing involving a drug charge, according to Mike Manko, sheriff’s office spokesman.

Rodgers also has a second bench warrant for failing to show up for court on a separate drug case in March, Manko said, as well as active warrants from the sheriff’s office, Pittsburgh Police and in Westmoreland County.

Detectives learned this week that Rodgers was inside a house on Bausman Street, in the Knoxville section of Pittsburgh, Manko said. The house is the home of the mother of his child.

Detectives arrived at the home Tuesday morning and, after speaking with the woman, learned that Rodgers was in an upstairs bedroom. Three children were also upstairs, in a separate bedroom, Manko said.

Detectives called for Rodgers and, although he responded, he didn’t show up for several minutes, Manko said. During that time, detectives heard “sounds similar to that of a gun being handled” before Rodgers came downstairs and was taken into custody.

The three children were moved to safety, Manko said. Detectives found a black handgun between the mattress and box spring of the bedroom that Rodgers was in, Manko said.

Rodgers was taken to the Allegheny County Jail on the outstanding warrants and is also facing two new firearms charges.