NEW BALTIMORE — When state police stopped a New York City taxi for a traffic violation on the turnpike late Wednesday, they found the driver was carrying more than the usual fare.
The cab driven by Sheldon Kirk Styles, 35, of New York, was carrying one passenger, 50 pounds of marijuana, 21 pills and more than $5,000 cash, troopers said.
“It’s strange to see a cab on the turnpike,” said Sgt. Anthony DeLuca, who made the arrests.
“When it’s registered out of New York, it’s not your normal ...”
Authorities determined that Styles and passenger Vernon Spencer, 28, of Brooklyn, N.Y., were illegal aliens, he said.
DeLuca said he stopped the cab because it had no brake lights and a burned-out light on the license plate.
The stop was made at milepost 123 in the westbound lane in Allegheny Township.
When the driver refused to allow the vehicle to be searched, Trooper Westley Berkebile and a police dog were called in.
Bosko, a drug-sniffing German
shepherd, indicated a suspicious scent in the trunk.
Troopers obtained a search warrant and seized the drugs and money.
The pot had a street value of about $50,000, and the pills are believed to be a prescription antibiotic, DeLuca said.
Styles said he was headed to Pittsburgh, and authorities found a GPS device he was using for directions, DeLuca said.
Styles and Spencer were arraigned on drug charges by District Judge Arthur Cook of Somerset, the on-call magistrate.
They were sent to the Somerset County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bond each.
Both are being held on federal detainers by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Pittsburgh for being in the United States illegally.
Local News
Taxi on turnpike attracts troopers, yields surprise
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
