MCKEESPORT, PA - Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are investigating an early morning attack against the police department of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, about 12 miles southeast of Pittsburg. Authorities have confirmed that four patrol vehicles were set on fire in a targeted arson attack against the police at about 3:12 a.m. on Wednesday.
McKeesport Police Chief Mark Steele told local news outlet WTAE that the fire damaged four vehicles, two unmarked and two marked. CBS News KDKA reported that all four vehicles were completely burned out.
'An attack on police': Officials investigate vehicle arson at McKeesport police station | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/go73wWEu5X
— WTAE-TV Pittsburgh (@WTAE) August 29, 2024
"To get woke up at 3:12 in the morning that four police cars are on fire in your lower lot, my heart sunk to my stomach. I've never had that call before," Steele told reporters.
"All I can say is, in our backyard like this, it's very heartbreaking. And I got all hands on deck on this situation here. All the hands I got with the ATF and the fire marshal doing a great job. And every detective I have on our department's working cameras and everything in the neighborhood to see what we can figure out here," he continued.
"I think it's safe to say that it was arson," Mayor Michael Cherepko told the press, adding he was glad no one was harmed. "That's the important thing here because, let's face it, obviously this is an attack on police. And one thing we are very grateful for is that there were no injuries."
He added, "I'll tell you this. We're very, very fortunate to be working alongside of the ATF and the experts of their arson department."
He said that a reward is also being offered for information leading to the suspects' arrest. "I will also say that we're very grateful that the ATF has secured a $5,000 reward for anyone that has information in leading to the prosecution of these culprits."
Ronald Sabotchick, ATF Resident Agent in Charge, voiced his team's support for the McKeesport Police, telling Action New 4, "ATF is happy to be a long-standing partner with the McKeesport Police Department. And, we're happy to support them in today and any other day also. And I do want to reiterate, we are offering a $5,000 reward. If anybody has any information, please call the McKeesport Police Department."
$5K REWARD for information on the burning of 4 McKeesport Police Department vehicles at 201 Lysle Blvd on Aug 28.
— ATF Philadelphia (@ATFPhiladelphia) August 29, 2024
Contact McKeesport PD at (412) 675-5015 or ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477), ATFTips@atf.gov.
More at: https://t.co/eAeo5oM9C7 pic.twitter.com/Lz24SGmZdp
“This deliberate act of arson not only hurt the McKeesport Police Department but also the community at large by causing significant damage to multiple police vehicles and posing a serious threat to public safety,” Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Office said in a press release. “We encourage people who have information on these fires to come forward and help bring this investigation to a successful conclusion.”
Anyone with information can contact McKeesport PD at (412) 675-5015 or ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477), ATFTips@atf.gov.The outlet noted that the loss of the vehicles will not impede law enforcement operations, as they were primarily used for backup.
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