Police: Gun charge filed after man drops pistol while being questioned about vehicle break-ins
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A Harrison police officer responding to a call of two men trying to break into vehicles accused a Pittsburgh man of illegally carrying a gun after he dropped the weapon while being questioned on the street.
John Pinkney Krall, 18, of Colombo Street in the city’s Garfield neighborhood was charged with a count of carrying a firearm without a license. He was released from custody on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing before District Judge Carolyn Bengel on Aug. 10, according to court records.
A patrol officer wrote in the criminal complaint charging Krall that he responded to the area of Freeport Road and Poplar Street shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 1 for a report of two men walking down the street trying to get into vehicles.
The officer said he stopped two men who fit the description provided by the caller as they were walking along Mayflower Alley, the complaint said.
The officer said one of the men, later identified as Krall, “immediately moved his hand toward his waistband area and turned his back on me,” the complaint said.
The officer grabbed Krall by the shoulder when he saw him try to stuff a handgun he was carrying into the other man’s pocket or waistband, according to the complaint.
Police said Krall dropped the gun, which landed on the other man’s foot, and the officer was able to step on it to prevent it from being retrieved by the suspect.
The gun, a Taurus 9 mm, had several live rounds loaded in the magazine as well as one live round loaded into the chamber, police said.
Police said the gun charge was filed because Krall does not have a permit to carry a firearm and is not old enough to legally obtain a concealed carry permit, which are not available in Pennsylvania for people younger than 21.