Police have arrested a man who seemingly tried to create a distraction with a firework after being detained for trespassing at a closed restaurant in a Pennsylvania casino. Security staff at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh apprehended Jeremy Allen Hartman at 5:41am on Sunday morning when they found him attempting to steal alcohol worth as much as $4,000.
lit a commercial-grade firework and threw it into the toilet
En route to the casino’s holding area, the 47-year-old asked if he could use the restroom. After entering the bathroom reserved for employees, Hartman allegedly lit a commercial-grade firework and threw it into the toilet. This caused an explosion that resulted in a minor injury to one of the staff members, who received treatment from medics on-site.
After identifying the culprit’s vehicle in the parking garage, law enforcement discovered more fireworks. The Pittsburgh Police Bomb Squad arrived on the scene to ensure that there were no possible explosive devices around the property, using a K-9 unit as part of the search.
Hartman is now looking at numerous charges, including criminal mischief, theft, risking catastrophe, reckless endangerment, and arson.
