Forest Hills Police Arrest Man for Drug and Firearms Violations

A traffic stop initiated by Forest Hills police on Oct. 9 ended up with a Pittsburgh man facing several drug and gun-related charges.

Donald C. Cheeks, 49, of Pittsburgh, 15206, is charged with receiving stolen property, persons not to possess firearms, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession with intent to deliver, possession, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia and a small amount of marijuana, driving the wrong way, minimum speed regulations and careless driving. According to the police report, additional charges might be filed.

A Forest Hills officer observed Cheeks' 2005 black Dodge Durango come to a stop in the fast lane of the 2100 block of Ardmore Boulevard westbound, drive about five yards in reverse in the westbound lanes, enter the left-turn lane at the intersection of Marion Avenue, stay stopped through a green light for about 10 seconds, all while the vehicle behind him continually honked the horn. The officer initiated a traffic stop.

The police reports states that Cheeks could be seen making movement toward the passenger seat but had no information in his hand when the officer approached the side of the Durango. The officer requested a driver's license and Cheeks handed over his Pennsylvania photo ID card, telling police his license had been suspended.

While checking Cheeks for weapons, the officer felt a large bundle of cash in his pants pocket. A black Beretta 9000S .40-caliber pistol was discovered under the passenger seat loaded with eight rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. A check of the gun determined that it had been stolen from North Huntingdon on May 28, 2011.

A Braddock Hills officer assisting at the scene checked the vehicle and recovered a knotted plastic bag containing powered cocaine and a gray metal case under the passenger seat. The case contained a knotted plastic bag with 23 knotted plastic bag ends containing crack cocaine, a knotted plastic bag with a large chunk of crack cocaine, a knotted plastic bag end containing multiple pieces of crack cocaine, a razor blade covered in white residue and two knotted plastic bag ends containing marijuana.

A second Forest Hills officer at the scene recovered a clear plastic cigarette cover containing six unknown white pills in the open center console.

At that point, Cheeks was placed under arrest and his vehicle was towed. At the station, Cheeks was strip searched and police discovered 13 plastic bags in a rear pants pocket, a knotted plastic bag end containing powder cocaine in his wallet, two blue diamond-shaped pills wrapped in tissues inside a jacket pocket and $692 in U.S. currency in a pants pocket.

According to the police report, a North Huntingdon officer came to the station and interviewed Cheeks about the stolen gun. The gun and drugs were sent to the county crime lab for processing.

Cheeks was transported to Allegheny County Jail but was freed after posting $50,000 bail. He faces a preliminary hearing before District Judge Thomas Caulfield at 9 a.m. Oct. 17.

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