Police Arrest 2, Seize 1,500 Heroin Bricks, $100K In Mt. Washington Bust
MOUNT WASHINGTON (KDKA) – Police arrested two men as part of a large heroin bust on Mount Washington Sunday night. According to the Attorney General's Office, the pair were arrested at a home on William Street.
"We keep an eye out and there was nothing giving you any indication this was going on," one neighbor told KDKA.
The suspects have been identified as 33-year-old Price Montgomery and 35-year-old James Perrin.
Law enforcement and the DEA seized 1,500 bricks of heroin (75,000 stamped bags), 16 firearms, more than $100,000 in cash and jewelry, two luxury vehicles, Cuban cigars and a live chicken.
Mt. Washington residents were surprised to learn that the townhouse is the suspected distribution point of a major heroin operation.
"I was surprised to see that," said one resident. "We don't see that here."
Allegheny County property records show that former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend owns the house, but there is no indication that he is involved.
"Deshea was a good guy, quiet guy, I knew him pretty well. These guys here, I didn't know anything about them," said a neighbor.
Townsend is currently the cornerbacks coach at Mississippi State University. The school released a statement following the arrests, making it clear that Townsend is not implicated in the case:
"Deshea Townsend has learned that arrests occurred at a property titled in his name in the Mount Washington area of Pittsburgh. Although Coach Townsend has not been associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2010, he continues to own investment property in the Pittsburgh area. The property in question was the subject of a lease purchase agreement executed in March 2012. Neither individuals arrested were signatories to the March 2012 lease agreement. Coach Townsend employs a rental agent to conduct his affairs regarding this property and in no way is associated with the activities that may have occurred at a property rented by him to others."
According to a criminal complaint filed by the attorney general's office, police executed a search warrant early Sunday morning after pulling Montgomery and Perrin over in their Audi SUV and finding heroin in the car.
Neighbors like John Rizzo were shocked by the news.
"Can't understand it. They make all this money and they get picked up and lose it all, lose everything they gain," he said.
The two are charged with possession of heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin, illegal possession of firearms, criminal conspiracy and belonging to a corrupt organization.
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