Police in Westmoreland County locate two teenagers who escaped from detention center
UPDATE: The teenage boys were located in Fayette County. Click here for the newest updates.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP (KDKA) - State police and other law enforcement are looking for two teens who have escaped from a juvenile detention center in Westmoreland County.
One of those teenagers on the run was charged in connection to a high-profile murder in New Kensington.
That's 14-year-old Robert Cogdell of Connellsville. He is described as a black male standing 5-foot-10, 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
RELATED STORIES:
- Teenager found guilty in killing of a man in lobby of New Kensington apartments last year
- Police investigating death in New Kensington housing complex
- 14-year-old boy accused of killing man in New Kensington
- 7 charged with homicide in New Kensington shooting
- Community pleads for suspects in New Kensington homicide to turn themselves in
The other teenager is 16-year-old Braedon Dickinson, also from Connellsville - it's not clear what he is being charged with.
Dickinson is described as a black male standing 5-foot-9, 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
According to police, they escaped the Westmoreland County Juvenile Detention Center off of South Grande Boulevard in Hempfield Township around 8:30 on Saturday night.
Dickinson is one of seven suspects charged in connection with the July 2022 murder of 39-year-old Jason Raiford in New Kensington.
Three suspects in that case were on trial last week with one being found guilty of murder and the other two found not guilty of murder, but other charges.
"These two juveniles, at the time of their escape, were in an unsecured area and were able to walk out of the building," said Trooper Cliff Greenfield of the Pennsylvania State Police. "It is something we're taking very seriously. Our Troop A Major Case Team has been activated."
Now on the run, both juveniles are believed to be in a stolen truck.
"We believe that the F-150 King Ranch was unlocked at the time of the theft. We know that a 45-caliber handgun was in that vehicle," Trooper Greenfield added.
It's believed they could be traveling to the Jeannette, Monessen, or Uniontown areas.
"We are not aware to my knowledge of any threats against the public. But certainly, we have two juveniles who escaped a facility and may be armed with a handgun."
Anyone who has seen them or has information on their whereabouts is asked to call Pennsylvania State Police Greensburg barracks at 724-832-3588.
