McKeesport Daily News: Sutek named Mt. Lebanon's police officer of the year

Pete Sutek of Elizabeth Township has been named police officer of the year in Mt. Lebanon.

Sutek, 39, who has worked for that police department for 15 years, received the honor from Mt. Lebanon police Chief Coleman McDonough at a council meeting this week. The married father of three also received a certificate of special Congressional recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives, signed by Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair.

"I'm not doing anything more than I normally would do as a police officer," said a humble Sutek when asked about the recognition for his work.

Read the full article:

• www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailynewsmckeesport/s_746894.html (McKeesport Daily News)

P-G: Prescription drug sweep nets 19

Editor's note: Congratulations to Chief Coleman McDonough and the entire Mt. Lebanon Police Department for their work on this major drug bust.

A two-year, multi-agency investigation has resulted in the takedown of what U.S. Attorney David Hickton called "the largest and most sophisticated prescription drug ring" to ever operate in Western Pennsylvania.

Flanked by Special Agent Gary Davis of the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and various local police chiefs who assisted with the investigation, Mr. Hickton announced on Wednesday that 19 individuals will be charged with conspiring to distribute and possess oxycodone, a prescription painkiller in the opioid family that has become highly popular in recent years.

The outfit was so advanced, Mr. Hickton explained, because its operatives were able to use computer software to design realistic-looking prescription templates. Led by Jefferson Hills resident John Paul Larcinese, they then obtained DEA registration numbers for doctors who prescribe painkillers, giving the ring the ability to present prescriptions that appeared legitimate, Mr. Hickton said.

The ring recruited "runners," who would travel to pharmacies, obtain oxycodone prescriptions and then turn the pills back over to Mr. Larcinese, who would pay them in either cash, oxycodone or both.

According to the indictments handed up Tuesday, the ring was in operation from February 2009 to June 2010.

The scheme began to unravel when Mt. Lebanon detectives received information about phony prescriptions being used in pharmacies there. Soon after, a detective received a tip that Mr. Larcinese was in the area of one of the pharmacies.

After a brief foot pursuit, he was apprehended and the investigation launched, explained Mt. Lebanon Police Chief Coleman McDonough.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/pg/11160/1152431-455.stm (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Police Seek State OK To Use Radar To Stop Speeding

The issue has been around longer than many state lawmakers and state troopers have been alive: Should municipal police in Pennsylvania be allowed to use radar devices to stop speeding motorists?

Yes, Mt. Lebanon Police Chief Coleman McDonough and several other local police officials told a Senate committee last week.

As a retired state police lieutenant colonel, Chief McDonough has seen things from both sides. Since 1961, state police are the only officers in Pennsylvania allowed to use radar to catch speeders.

Read more: www.post-gazette.com/pg/10235/1081970-147.stm

Retired State Police Official Is New Chief

Coleman J. McDonough is eager to resume a hands-on leadership position in law enforcement after retiring near the top of the state police pecking order.

McDonough, 53, was selected from among 59 applicants and started Monday as Mt. Lebanon's police chief. He retired from the state police as a lieutenant colonel and deputy commissioner for staff in Harrisburg a year ago.

Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_607154.html

Commissioners Approve Police Chief Hiring

Mt. Lebanon commissioners tonight approved the hiring of Coleman J. McDonough as chief of police. A Pittsburgh native who most recently served as law enforcement coordinator for the U.S. attorney's office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, he also served as deputy commissioner for the Pennsylvania State Police from 2006 to 2008.

Thomas Ogden, Mt. Lebanon's chief of police for 10 years until his retirement in September, is currently director of security at Carnegie Mellon University.

Link: www.postgazette.com/pg/08350/935387-100.stm

Link: Governor Rendell Appoints 22-Year State Police Veteran to Deputy Commissioner Post (from 2006 with picture)