KDKA's Pam Surano: Were you trying to avenge something? with a double murder in Westmoreland County, a car exploded in North Huntingdon Township, Fire sends smoke throughout Gulf Tower in downtown Pittsburgh, forces evacuations, $1 million scratch-off lottery ticket sold in Pittsburgh, VIDEO: Ed Gainey defeats incumbent Bill Peduto in Pittsburgh mayoral race, DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts, 3 people dead after 2 separate shootings in McKeesport; scenes not connected, police say, Explosive found in bag at Pennsylvania airport, man arrested, Local woman living with cancer for 10 years hopes journey will help educate, advocate, Man found dead in courtyard after shooting in Arlington Heights, Super-rare Jurassic-era bug discovered during Walmart shopping trip. As Steban, 53, was led to and from his arraignment Tuesday night on multiple criminal charges in the shooting deaths Sunday of Jacob Erdeljac, 41, and Mara Casale, 27 whose bodies were discovered at Erdeljacs home in Claridge the longtime North Huntingdon resident told reporters Grady was reported to be a dangerous and abusive alcoholic, and served 15 years probation for killing his daughter's fiancee. Her best friend, Sara Wally, wants her to be remembered for the friend, daughter, sister and aunt she was, and not for the horrific tragedy that took the life of her and her boyfriend. Longitude: -76.3588933298636. He's already charged with two counts of homicide, burglary, robbery and other charges in connection to the double murder in Penn Township. PTPD is the business office only. His Facebook page had several photos of Erdeljac and his motorcycle trips, including one to Yosemite National Park in California. Police reported Steban also admitted to shooting 41-year-old Jacob Erdeljac off his motorcycle, then shooting him twice in the head. One year later, Hain was shot and killed by her estranged husband, Scott, who then shot and killed himself. Police are near walking all over the area near Route 30 & Thompson Lane @WPXI pic.twitter.com/EvetX81eSD. Rizzo said the fire has not been ruled an arson, but they did find weapons in his home and charged him with illegal possession of firearms. Neighbors say the blast shook the ground. Steban allegedly told investigators he had a past issue with Jacob, and that led him to their Penn Township house. The Westmoreland County Coroner confirmed the two deaths and stated that the autopsies are scheduled for Tuesday morning. Steban, 53, was arraigned on new charges filed Thursday by state police, including multiple counts of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and shooting into occupied structures in connection with shootings at three homes that occurred . . He had worked there since 2008 and specialized in interreligious dialogue, inclusive religious pluralism and media & religion. The survivors were taken intoprotective custody by governor John Penn, but that didn't stop the Paxton Boys from breaking in and murdering six adults and eight children. "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. A portion of the road was blocked off for hours and evidence markers were placed in the driveway. "It was a busy weekend. According to a statement from the Allegheny County Department of Police, officers arrived a little before 10 a.m. at a local home to check on the welfare of a couple involved in a "violent domestic" dispute. She wouldve done anything for a total stranger, and thats how she deserves to be remembered. Meleanie Hain drew national attention and controversy when she openly wore a handgun at her five-year-old daughter's soccer game in Lebanon County. 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. Peck said that she initially was wounded in the gunfire. Williams is currently serving a life sentence for the crime. The Chief has final responsibility and accountability for the department. James Goy, 50, and his wife, Lisa Goy, 48, were slain by their. Steban is considered a person of interest in that. 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. (AP Photo/Peter Cosgrove). Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Our thoughts are with all those who are affected by this terrible tragedy.". The Allegheny County . Allegheny County announces Summer Concert Series. Municipality: PENN TOWNSHIP. Surveillance video captured the horrific. Traffic was slowed until after 1 p.m. as authorities were searching a package Steban was carrying when he was taken into custody as he was seen running along Route 30. 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. Penn Township Police Department Chief Guy Hettinger 20 Wayne Ave Hanover, PA 17331 (717) 637-8751 Follow Crime Map In this section Arrests Cases Incident Blotter Most Wanted Warrants Crime . Steban was originally taken to the North Huntingdon Police Department for questioning but was later moved to the Penn Township Police Department. An investigation found that Minier apparently killed Walter before shooting himself, and the deaths were ruled a murder-suicide. "There's no words, really. Duquesne Light confirmed Erdeljac was an employee. Ira Einhorn, center, is escorted by French police in Champagne-Mouton, central France, July 19, 2001. @KDKA @NicoleFordTV @ismithKDKA pic.twitter.com/DfQNgU9YaC. After gaining entry, the SWAT team found Dr. Marinus Iwuchukwu, 59, and his wife, Charte Dunn, 50, dead. Officers were called to the home along Claridge-Elliot Road in Penn Township around 8 a.m. Very out of the ordinary for this neighborhood. It is estimated that he may be responsible for as many 400 deaths during his career as a nurse, causing intentional overdoses of numerous patients via commonly used medication. Victor Steban, the man who is a person of interest in several crimes in Westmoreland County, is in custody. Eyewitnesses described the open-highway arrest: a swarm of police officers, panicked drivers and a helicopter hovering overhead. a car bomb that exploded in North Huntingdon Township over the weekend. Its just been devastating. Erdeljac worked for Duquesne Light Company. 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. A man and woman were fatally shot at a Penn Township home Monday, and a Toyota Tacoma taken from the scene was found abandoned in Manor hours later, according to investigators. Then, they spotted Steban on Route 30 while some motorists apparently fled their cars to get away. Pictures taken by Penn Township police show smoke billowing from the house shortly after 5:15 a.m. . Angel on Earth: Best friend of woman murdered in Westmoreland Co. double murder speaks out. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. He has completed all National Incident Management courses and has extensive training in Critical Incident response and Incident Command. Mom of 3 Is Fatally Shot, and Husband Who Requested Welfare Check at Home Is Suspect, Murder-Suicide in Chicago Leaves Family of 5 Dead, Including Two Children, Ages 4 and 6, Catholic Theological Society of America announcement. The fire did not destroy the home, but did do some damage. In this file photo from July 2, 1988, convicted kidnapper and torture killer Gary Heidnik leaves Philadelphia City Hall after being sentenced to die. The murders were carried out by Cosmo . PTPD 9 times out of 10 use two tow companies. Police explained that Victor Steban was lying in wait for them, allegedly in retaliation for feeling disrespected by Erdeljac. She was such an old soul, she hated technology, Wally explained. 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. He immediately attacked them as they came onto the property," Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck said. A GoFundMe page has been created to help with costs. All site content on the CRIMEWATCH portal is the specific and unquestionable property of the appropriate law enforcement agency that maintains, manages and administers content. Duquesne Light Co. confirmed Tuesday that Erdeljac was employed as a transmission and distribution supervisor. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. His background with the department includes work in K9, School Resource Officer, Public Information, Tactics and First Line Supervision. 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. While on their way, officers were updated that the caller believed the people were dead. Steban. The safest community in Pennsylvania is Penn Township of Westmoreland County. Though Dr. Iwuchukwu had filed for divorce in 2020, the split had not yet been finalized, the outlet reports. And, she said, they dont know why Steban may have shot at their home over the weekend. 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. Officials said he was not legally allowed to have them. As for Casale, Otto said that there is every indication that she was a victim of circumstances.. A house fire was also reported Saturday on N. Thompson Lane in North Huntingdon Township. However, in 2018, state Superior Court reinstated Katonas conviction and, last October, the state Supreme Court upheld that ruling. Once on scene, first responders found a 62-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man dead from gunshot wounds. It just breaks my heart that Ill never get to talk to my best friend again, Wally explained. An argument in a Fairview Township residence early Friday morning turned deadly, according to court documents . We want the public to know we simply do not know this guy, said Shari Katona of Hempfield. James Kibler said there was a state police helicopter flying low near the highways intersection with Arona Road and traffic was stopped. Authorities apprehended Steban about 12:40 p.m. Tuesday on Route 30 near his North Thompson Lane home, which was damaged in a suspicious fire Saturday, state Trooper Stephen Limani confirmed. He was not prosecuted in that affair, either. Witnesses say he appeared to know officers were after him and looked back at them several times. (WPXI). 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 Person will not receive any details of investigation. My thing would be the investigative truck the CSI truck going down there, that was a big bad sign.. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. District Attorney John Peck said they were shot either late Sunday after returning home from a motorcycle ride or early Monday morning. Western Westmoreland Municipal Authority Board, Penn Township Boards and Commissions Listing, Water - Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, The safety of Penn Township children and schools, The protection and safety of Township residents homes and property, Affecting the supply and availability of drugs within the community, Performing business checks and solving burglaries, When a deer needs removed from Municipal Road 724-238-9523, When a deer needs removed from State Road 1-800-349-7623, When a deer needs removed from a County Road 724-832-5387. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Everybody loved her. Peck declined to comment on the investigation by North Huntingdon police and the ATF. >>STORY: Explosive used to destroy car in Westmoreland County. Both were sentenced to life in prison. Content is subject to change at any time. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Please enter valid email address to continue. The cause has yet to be determined. Shortly after 8 a.m. Monday, police responded to a call for two people down in a driveway with a large amount of blood. 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. They searched a camouflage backpack he was carrying and pulled out a gun. Six were killed and scalped and the settlement was burned. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. A Pennsylvania family of four has been found dead following an apparent murder-suicide, police say. Steban is also suspected of shooting at three homes, and is also a person of interest in a car bombing in Westmoreland County. Rosemary Washington, 62, and Thomas Washington Sr., 63, were found in a home in the 100 block of Conestoga Road, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner. Neighbors say -- even though they didnt hear anything, the sound of gunshots wouldnt be alarming here. Two firefighters have reportedly died while battling a blaze in West Penn Township, Pennsylvania on December 7, 2022. A woman and a man were killed in what police are treating as a murder-suicide in Penn Hills on Tuesday. A beloved professor was stabbed to death in a Tuesday murder-suicide at his Wilkins Township, Penn., home. When police arrived, they found a 9-year-old child watching TV and the . Trimble and Norris were partners on a low-budget horror film, the expenses of which put Norris $18,000 in debt. Steban was wanted for questioning in connection with multiple criminal incidents over the weekend in Westmoreland County, including a double murder in Penn Township. Westmoreland. Marisa Captline, a student aide in the theology department who worked with him in 2022, told the Duquesne Duke that Iwuchukwu was "genuinely, just such a kindhearted person" who had always expressed interest about what was going on in her life. The Allegheny County Medical Examiners office has not released the cause or manner of death. Steban said that he went into the home to look for keys to get away. The truck is the last vehicle he was seen in. RAW: No injuries reported after explosive used to destroy car in North Huntingdon Twp. A former prison guard, Banks went on a killing spree that took the lives of 13 people, 11 of whom were his relatives. 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. Steban was ordered by Harrison City Judge Helen Kistler held in the county prison without bond on the homicide charges. They believe they have the weapon used in the shootings, but must await ballistic tests, Gardner said. On Nov. 14, 2017, authorities in Perry County, Pa. charged a local man with the 1983 murder of his wife, providing a reminder that even decades-old "cold cases" are never totally forgotten. A handcuffed William Bradfield, Jr. carries personal papers as he leaves his holding cell in the Dauphin County Courthouse accompanied by a deputy sheriff on his way to the courtroom for his murder trial 1983. Chambersburg ( Photos) Police paperwork shows the address is one that Steban has given to the courts before. Its been totally devastating to know that we lost such a good person. Updated. Beloved Penn. It's unclear what led up to the fatal incident. Pitezel had been an accompliceto several of Holmes' other murders, of which he committed at least 9 though he confessed to many more. RAW: No injuries reported after explosive used to destroy car in North Huntingdon Twp. 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