Morning Roundup: McKeesport man threatens detectives during arrest for probation violation

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, June 27:

McKeesport man threatens detectives during arrest for probation violation

A McKeesport man told detectives they were lucky he didn’t shoot them when he was taken into custody on a probation violation Wednesday. He is facing multiple charges after being taken back into custody.

The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office said Rashaad Fitzgerald, 32, pleaded guilty in 2021 to one count of possession with intent to deliver and one firearms violation. He was sentenced to 11½ to 23 months in jail followed by five years probation.

A bench warrant for violating the probation was issued in April after Wilkinsburg police charged Fitzgerald with simple assault, the sheriff’s office said. Detectives with the sheriff’s office learned that Fitzgerald was in Homewood and saw him Wednesday on the front steps of a house along Gerrit Street.

As detectives approached, Fitzgerald tried to run. During the chase, he reached into his waistband which caused a gun to fall to the ground, the sheriff’s office said. He continued to run before being taken into custody on Frankstown Avenue.

Detectives said they confiscated nearly four dozen stamp bags of suspected heroin that Fitzgerald was carrying at the time of his arrest. Officials said while detectives were searching him, he told them, “You’re lucky I didn’t shoot one of you.”

Fitzgerald was taken to the Allegheny County Jail for arraignment on the simple assault charge and additional charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver.

New Castle Police seeks help finding homicide suspect

The New Castle Police Department is looking for an Ohio man now charged in a deadly shooting.

Andrew Howard, 32, of Youngstown, Ohio, is suspected of killing Omar Hakim, 39, a man found dead in his car after a shooting April 21 in New Castle. Police filed homicide charges against Howard on Wednesday afternoon.

He is considered to be armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call dispatch at 724-656-9300 or 911 to report it. People also can leave tips on the New Castle Police Department’s website.