Latest news with #Lorah
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Erie law enforcement warning of new deadly chemical found in street drugs
A new industrial-grade chemical, BTMPS, also known as Tinuvin 770, has been found in street drugs in Western Pennsylvania, prompting the Erie County District Attorney's Office to raise awareness about its dangers. The chemical, typically used as a protective coating on plastics, is reportedly being used as a cutting agent in fentanyl. Erie realtor hosting remodeling sweepstakes benefitting local nonprofits 'Fentanyl is an already dangerous drug. These additives, these cutting agents that they're putting into it, are making an extremely deadly drug even more deadly,' said Rick Lorah, Deputy Chief of the Erie Police Department. Tinuvin 770 is categorized as both corrosive and a health hazard. According to the American College of Medical Toxicology, ingestion of the chemical can lead to infertility, damage to unborn children, serious skin irritation, and vision damage. Drug task forces and experts believe that Tinuvin is being used as a filler in fentanyl because it is a cheap, white powder. This has raised concerns about its impact on overdose reversal efforts, as the substance has been shown to prevent the effectiveness of Narcan. Rick Lorah noted that Erie's role in the drug chain has evolved, with drugs now coming from the southern border instead of through traditional routes like Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo. He also mentioned that much of the fentanyl has been traced back to China. Local, state, and federal agencies, including the EAGLE task force, are actively working to remove these dangerous drugs from the streets. Lorah highlighted that fentanyl was a major factor in recent drug busts and arrests, underscoring the nationwide scope of the problem. The presence of Tinuvin 770 in street drugs was first noted in August of last year and has since been found in 14 different states across the country. Erie students launch weather balloon after months of work The discovery of Tinuvin 770 in street drugs highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating the opioid crisis. Efforts to address this issue continue at multiple levels, with authorities striving to mitigate the impact of these dangerous substances on communities. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Yahoo
Erie police increasing presence for St. Patrick's Day weekend
There will be an increased police presence in the City of Erie all weekend as streets will be closed down for the St. Patrick's parade on Saturday morning and celebrations to follow. According to Deputy Chief Rick Lorah, 20-30 extra bike and foot patrol officers will be working city streets over the next few days. State police conducting DUI enforcement St. Patrick's Day weekend In addition to keeping the peace and cracking down on drunk driving, Lorah said they will be enforcing the city's curfew and truancy laws to help keep young people safe. 'With the weather changing and the holiday weekend, we're gonna put out multiple patrols so Monday there's gonna be a truancy patrol obviously in the morning. We'll have a curfew control at night. During the day, our bicycle patrol officers will be out,' Deputy Chief Lorah said. How does your blood alcohol level affect you by percentage? In addition to increased DUIs, police traditionally see a higher number of fights break out downtown on St. Patrick's Day weekend. They hope their increased presence will be a deterrent this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
‘Violence just certainly isn't the answer' Fourth suspect arrested for December Erie murder
The fourth and final suspect believed to be involved in a fatal December shooting is now in police custody after weeks of searching for them. Jamarion Boone, 17, was found in Erie by police on Wednesday after being thought to have fled the region. Fourth suspect charged in 2024 homicide that killed 17-year-old, injured another He's facing charges including homicide, murder, and conspiracy to commit murder and under the Fisher Bill, he'll be tried as an adult. Boone was found with the help of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force who cast a wide net searching for his whereabouts. 'The great thing with the task force and being involved in the marshals' fugitive task force is that we're able to lean on them for some of their capabilities in finding these individuals,' said Rick Lorah, deputy chief of Erie police. Boone was thought to have fled to places like Pittsburgh, or even North Carolina. 'It's tragic' – Two teens face homicide charges after Tuesday shooting kills one teen, injures another He allegedly did so with the help of family. Police even arrested two people who helped to hide Boone's location. 'If you are harboring a fugitive, if you are helping a fugitive, especially a homicide suspect, if you are doing any of that and harboring these individuals, you're going to be charged. That's something that we'll take a look at where he was found at, who he was found with, and we'll speak with the district attorney's office, and if prosecution is advised, then we'll do that,' Lorah said. This shooting stemmed from an argument between a group of students at Erie High School. Police said they've been searching for Boone since December 17, when 17-year-old Armoni Cantu was shot and killed near West 31st and Liberty Streets, and another person was shot in the face. Third suspect arrested in connection to 2024 murder of 17-year-old Lorah said this case is one of the latest alarming examples of youth violence. He hopes continued efforts to work with the Erie School District as well as programs like the Police Athletic League can be drivers of real change. 'Unfortunately, there's been a concerning trend not only in the city by nationwide with youth violence and that's something that we're trying to change,' Lorah said. 'Violence just certainly isn't the answer.' Boone is now being held in the Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Yahoo
Erie Police Department awarded $1M in grants for new tech
The Erie Police Department is getting money from the federal government that will help officers track and reduce crime. In today's day and age, technology is advancing in both the ways officers respond to and solve crimes. According to the deputy chief, this funding is much needed for the department. Bayfront traffic light near full opperation Erie City Council met wednesday morning and on top of their agenda, four grant ordinances were on the line for final passage. 'We had money that is being allocated through grants and just making sure that went through was a unanimous passage,' said Tyler Titus, vice chair of Erie City Council. Half of those grants approved were for the Erie Police Department. Over the last few years, there has been an increase in auto theft. This is believed to be due to trends on social media app TikTok where younger generations find different ways to steal vehicles. Elm Street Walmart reopens, police continue to investigate following bomb threat The city applied for the Encouraging Innovation Program through the Department of Justice and was one of three municipalities in the nation to be approved. One million dollars will be used to fund an additional auto theft detective position for their unit. 'We have a technology coordinator now that we didn't have 20 years ago. With technology changing obviously we as the police department need to change as well,' said Rick Lorah, deputy chief of police for the City of Erie. This is a full-time position for three years and will include travel for extra training as well. Another grant that was approved during the city council meeting was an upgrade to police equipment which included license plate readers integrated into the dash cam. Nearly $82,000 will be used for the vehicles' computers and batteries for handheld radios. Deputy Chief Lorah said these technologies can be expensive but important to keep up on. 'LPRs, in-car cameras, body cams has not only helped us solve some major crimes in the city but it's helped a lot as far as prosecuting criminals that are committing crimes in the city. Keeping up with technology is an extremely important aspect of policing in America as well as here in Erie,' Lorah went on to say. City of Erie Streets Dept. introduces 'pothole hotline' to help clean up winter damage Deputy Chief Lorah said things like this usually take time but they plan to post the position soon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
