Man faces drug, weapons charges in Lansford incident

A 27-year-old man faces drug and weapons charges following an incident in Lansford late last month.

Police charged Steven Edward Hayes based on a search, which took place after he was acting strangely inside a convenience store.

On Oct. 27 around 4 p.m., Lansford Police responded to Penn Mart for a man slumped over at a table. When they arrived, he was alert, but they still planned to take him to a hospital.

In a social media post, Lansford Police said, “It was obvious that Hayes was being deceptive and attempting to prevent officers from checking him.”

An officer patted down Hayes to ensure safety for himself and the EMTs, who also responded. While patting down Hayes, the officer noticed a 9 mm pistol, which he removed.

The officer then handcuffed Hayes, and found a hypodermic needle in Hayes’ pocket.

Hayes was transported to a hospital, where he signed a form allowing officers to search his backpack, as well as a mini safe and box located inside.

The officer searched the backpack and found a bundle and four loose glassine bags containing white powder, three bags containing powdered substances, as well as pills and numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia.

The officer asked where he got the methamphetamine and said he purchased drugs earlier that day — adding that the drugs were fake.

According to the affidavit, Hayes told the officer that another of the bags contained powdered sugar. The officer said two other bags contained a crystal substance consistent with Epsom salt.

Police filed charges including carrying a firearm without a license, and possessing controlled or counterfeit substances.

Following the incident, Hayes was released. On Nov. 8, police arrested him again following a traffic stop. He was jailed on the charges from Oct. 27, with bail set at $100,000.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Nov. 20.

Charges of possessing a controlled or counterfeit substance are pending from the Nov. 8 incident.