Latest news with #AltoonaPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
New Pennsylvania driving law banning cell phone use takes effect Thursday
HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — Police and PennDOT are reminding drivers to 'Put down the phone and make it home.' Paul Miller's law goes into effect across Pennsylvania Thursday. It means anyone using a cellphone or other hand-held device behind the wheel can be pulled over by police and issued a warning. The law defines cellphone use as holding it in one hand, supporting it with any body part, pressing more than a single button to answer a phone call or otherwise operate it and reaching for a hand-held device in a way that makes the driver move from a proper seated position. Starting in June 2026, drivers will be issued a summary traffic violation and a $50 fine for distracted driving. At a press conference Wednesday, police from many Blair County departments said this law couldn't come soon enough as in 2024 alone, distracted driving killed 49 people and injured more than 6,000 others in the state. Pennsylvania Representative aims to repeal 'Johnstown Flood Tax' 'Studies show that people are on the phones checking the phones 100, 200 times a day and roughly on them 4 to 6 hours. And they're doing that whether they're in a car, at home or anywhere else. And obviously being behind the wheel doing that is extremely unsafe,' said Sergeant Patrick Tomassetti, Public Relations Officer with the Altoona Police Department. The new law is named after Paul Miller who was killed in 2010 after a distracted driver of a semi-truck crossed a center divider and hit Miller's car head-on. 'This is a long time coming. We always complain about doing the right enforcement and getting the right bills in there, getting the right laws made. This is one that's been, should have been done years and years ago,' said patrol officer Jeff Ketner with Duncansville Borough Police Department. Police said they will be taking the new law very serious and that drivers may see an increase in police presence along roadways while officers work to inform drivers of the new changes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
1 arrested, 1 at large after Altoona traffic stop leads to drugs
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — A traffic stop in Altoona led to a drug bust and two men being charged; however, one of them is still at large. Altoona police announced the arrest of Rafiq Dandridge, 30, and issued an arrest warrant for Terrance Mitchell, 34, both of Philadelphia, after a traffic stop on the 100 block of 6th Avenue at around 1:20 p.m. Saturday, May 31. According to police, the traffic stop was initiated after spotting a vehicle from Philadelphia with an expired registration. The driver, Mitchell, was found to be on parole for various drug violations. Dandridge, the passenger, had a warrant for his arrest out of Montgomery County. While speaking with the duo, police alleged they had conflicting stories as to why they were in Altoona. This prompted 9 Pongo to join and perform a vehicle sniff for the presence of drugs — which Pongo allegedly gave a positive alert. Philadelphia native found with $23K worth of drugs in Altoona bust Police arrested Dandridge on his active warrant and released Mitchell. The vehicle was impounded to obtain a search warrant. Police said the following was found once the warrant was approved: 37 glassine packets stamped 'Oreo' and 'Dennis Rodman' containing suspected methamphetamine Four baggies with suspected fentanyl Four baggies containing suspected crack, 14 grams One baggie of suspected psilocybin mushrooms, 4 grams Both men were charged with possession with intent to distribute. Dandridge was placed in Blair County Prison in lieu of $100,000 cash remains at large with an active arrest warrant through the Altoona Police Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Iowa man charged for trying to meet teen at Altoona hotel, police say
ALTOONA, Iowa — An Iowa man is facing multiple charges for allegedly trying to meet with a minor at an Altoona hotel. According to court documents, in April 61-year-old Steven Lester Davis reached out to who he believed to be a 15-year-old girl on social media. Court documents state that during conversations with the supposed teen, Davis told her he wanted to perform sexual acts with her and even sent her explicit images and videos. Judge OKs Iowa limits on K-6 gender identity, sexual orientation teaching but not elective programs Davis later planned to meet the teen in-person, reserving a room at a hotel in Altoona for Thursday, May 15, a criminal complaint states. However, the complaint says that when he showed up at the hotel, he found that the teen he was speaking to was actually a detective with the Altoona Police Department and was taken into custody. Davis has been charged with two counts of telephone dissemination of obscene material to a minor – first offense, and one count each of grooming and enticing a minor under 16. He is also facing a charge of possession of a controlled substance – second offense, as court documents say that when he was taken into custody officers found methamphetamine in his vehicle. Davis is being held in the Polk County jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 27. Metro News: Iowa man charged for trying to meet teen at Altoona hotel, police say 'Cop on a Rooftop' event raises money for Special Olympics Iowa Closure of Grimes medical supply facility will affect dozens of workers Dizzying work going on at Des Moines parks! Five minutes with Ben Page 15 veterans receive marked graves, ceremonies a century after their service Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Who doesn't?' AI child pornography found on Altoona man's devices, agents report
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — An Altoona man was charged after agents with the Office of Attorney General alleged child sex abuse material was sent from his Snapchat. Joseph Blair Hazlett, 43, was charged with four counts of child pornography, two counts of disseminating photo or video of child sex acts, and one count of criminal use of a communications facility after agents received a tip about child sex abuse material being sent over Snapchat in May 2024. According to the criminal complaint, agents of the Office of Attorney General and officers with the Altoona Police Department ultimately executed a search warrant at Hazlett's residence Thursday, May 15, after an extensive investigation. While speaking with agents, Hazlett was asked if he looks at child pornography, to which he allegedly replied, 'Who doesn't?' 2 charged, accused of selling 'burner' gun out of Altoona house Hazlett continued and allegedly admitted to the emails and screen names in question belonging to him, charging documents show. Hazlett also allegedly described the Snapchat photo of a young boy that triggered the investigation. Agents alleged Hazlett was found with one actual image of child sex abuse material and three artificially generated was arraigned Thursday and released on $50,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 11. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Altoona Police seek public help identifying suspect in theft from Wendy's
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect accused of stealing a wallet containing a large sum of cash from a Wendy's restaurant in Altoona. The Altoona Police Department released a photo of the individual believed to be involved in the theft and is urging anyone with information to come forward. The incident remains under investigation, and authorities are working to identify the person captured on surveillance. Detective P. Brown is leading the investigation and can be reached at 814-949-2517 or by email at pbrown@ Tipsters can also send a private message to the Altoona Police Department's official Facebook page. Police have not disclosed the exact amount of money stolen but described it as significant. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
