Man arrested after volley of gunfire near New Kensington police station

New Kensington police charged a man with felony theft and gun charges after a volley of gunfire within earshot of the police station early Thursday morning, according to authorities.

Dravontae Marques Hendon, 24, of Arnold was arrested and charged with one felony count of receiving stolen property, two counts of illegal possession of a firearm and a count of drug possession.

New Kensington police Officer John Olearchick responded to the Valley Royal Court housing complex in the 1100 block of Fourth Avenue around 3:30 a.m. after hearing four or five gunshots, according to a criminal complaint in support of the charges.

The housing complex is located in the same block as the police station.

As Olearchick was investigating the source of the gunshots, he heard an officer from Arnold, who had responded to the scene, ordering Hendon to show his hands and get down on the ground, the complaint said.

The Arnold officer, Robert Haus, informed Olearchick that he saw Hendon hide objects under the front of a green van parked in one of the housing unit’s lots, the complaint said.

Officers searched the area and found two handguns — a .45 mm FNX pistol and a .9 mm Smith & Wesson.

Police said the Smith & Wesson was reported stolen in Arnold. Hendon also does not have a permit to carry a concealed firearm.

Hendon is being detained in the Westmoreland County Prison after failing to post a $40,000 bond. He was arraigned Thursday before District Judge Frank Pallone.

Hendon faces an Oct. 28 preliminary hearing on the charges before Pallone.