Federal agents raid Ligonier Valley Police Department, officials say
The Ligonier Valley Police Department headquarters was raided this week by federal Department of Homeland Security agents, but local officials said they were kept in the dark as to the purpose of the raid or if anything was seized.
Dan Resenic, chairman of the Ligonier Township supervisors, said he was told the agents came into the municipal office off Route 711 Thursday and informed employees that they would be searching the police department. Resenic was not certain how long the agents were there.
Ligonier Borough Mayor Orman “Butch” Bellas said a raid occurred, but he did not know what the agents were seeking. He declined further comment.
A Homeland Security spokesperson at the agency’s Washington, D.C., headquarters said that some information may be available later today from the Pennsylvania State Police, but offered no further comment.
Ligonier Valley Police Chief John Berger could not be reached for comment Friday.
The regional police force was formed about four years ago after a the merger of the Ligonier Township and Ligonier Borough police forces.
Officials had no forewarning about the raid, Resenic said. There have not been any changes in leadership at the police department, he added.
Joe Napsha is a TribLive reporter covering Irwin, North Huntingdon and the Norwin School District. He also writes about business issues. He grew up on Neville Island and has worked at the Trib since the early 1980s. He can be reached at jnapsha@triblive.com.
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