HARRISBURG — Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane today announced the arrest of two individuals from Allegheny County charged with criminal conspiracy, among other crimes, after allegedly being found with 10 bricks of heroin.
The arrests were made Monday evening in Altoona, Blair County. They were the result of a joint investigation between the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, the Blair County Drug Task Force, the Altoona Police Department, the Logan Township Police Department and Pennsylvania State Police.
Bruce Larenz Hatten, 33, 15 A Bell Ave., McKees Rocks, and Keisha Leann Rodgers, 35, 120 Hazel Place, Pittsburgh, were the defendants taken into custody.
The heroin they were found with — approximately 500 packets labeled “Passion” and “Top Five” — have an estimated street value of approximately $10,000, investigators allege. It was seized after investigators said they observed a controlled purchase in which Hatten was attempting to sell $4,500 worth of heroin. Rodgers was present at the time the drug deal was attempted, investigators said.
Hatten and Rodgers are both charged with one count each of criminal conspiracy, delivery or possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.
They are both being held in the Blair County Prison. Hatten’s bail was set at $200,000 while Rodgers’ bail was set at $125,000. Preliminary hearings are tentatively scheduled for July 22.
Kane thanked the Altoona Police Department, Logan Township Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, members of the Blair County Drug Task Force and Operation Our Town for their roles in the investigation.
Individuals who have witnessed a drug deal in their neighborhood or suspect illegal drug activity where they live or work can send an anonymous tip to the Office of Attorney General by texting PADRUGS + YOUR TIP to 847411.