Man arrested in Fayette County for attempting to lure children into his truck
WHITSETT, Pa. (KDKA) — State police are investigating an attempted child luring in Fayette County.
Tucked quietly away along the Great Allegheny Passage and the Youghiogheny River is the community of Whitsett. It is hailed as a safe neighborhood where people still leave their doors unlocked.
That feeling of safety was shattered Thursday evening when state police said Antonio Steadman attempted to lure two teen girls, ages 13 and 15, into his pickup truck.
"It makes my heart sick, broken," resident Yvonne Diggs said.
According to the criminal complaint, the girls say they were walking toward the park when they heard the continuous beeping of a vehicle's horn. When the teens noticed the dark blue truck, Steadman allegedly called them over and asked them to get in.
A father of one of the teens drove to the park when he heard the horn and took a picture of Steadman's truck and license plate.
A few hours later, police caught Steadman not far from the park and say he was drunk. After the 50-year-old was arrested, officers say he threatened to kill them and their families and offered $50,000 for his release.
Steadman is facing a list of charges, including luring a child, terroristic threats, DUI and bribery. He is being held without bond in the Fayette County Prison.