Ordained minister taken into custody following drug raid in Beaver County
CENTER TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) - Residents of an upscale Beaver County neighborhood were woken to the sound of police flash-bang grenades and warnings to stay in their homes on Friday. It happened as part of what Center Township Police said was a raid on an alleged illegal drug operation.
Crack cocaine, marijuana, and a gun are just some of the things police said they were able to get out of the home this morning after serving the warrant. They also said they managed to arrest a convicted felon who also happens to be a preacher.
The 68-year-old Reverend Myron Knox walked out of the Center Township Police Station in handcuffs after members of the Center Township Police and Beaver County Drug Task Force walked into the home he was living in on Radcliffe Drive.
"I saw them go in there with guns and kick the door in," recalled Kristen Ronosky, a neighbor.
"Around 6 a.m. we heard five bangs," added Alyssa Mandalakas. "We were letting the dog out, I said, 'there's gunshots, get the dog.'"
The gunshots were actually police flash-bang grenades used to enter the residence. All of it was part of a search warrant raid.
"This was the end of the long, several months investigation," said Chief Aldo Legge of the Center Township Police. "It was a narcotics investigation that led us to this residence."
For at least five hours, detectives and evidence teams removed items, including one firearm, as well as various alleged illegal drugs.
"There's been quite a few families in and out of that house particularly," Mandalakas said.
The house is in a quiet neighborhood in Beaver County but police said that shouldn't surprise anyone.
"Some drug operations have evolved to the point they can tuck into a bedroom community and infiltrate into a quiet community and they don't think we have eyes on them," Chief Legge said.
Knox, who investigators have said is also an ordained minister, faces narcotics as well as firearms charges.