A 41-year-old Jeannette man is facing multiple charges after police say he robbed a Walgreens pharmacy in North Huntingdon Township at gunpoint Wednesday morning and later pointed a cocked revolver toward officers in the parking lot.
Sean Lane was not struck when a North Huntingdon Township police officer fired several shots during the confrontation outside the Walgreens near Route 30. No officers, employees or bystanders were injured. Lane was taken into custody and later transported to a hospital for evaluation.
According to investigators, the incident began around 10 a.m. Sept. 2 when Lane entered the Walgreens near Norwin Hills Plaza and went to the pharmacy counter. Police said the gun was initially concealed inside a shirt, but Lane showed the firearm’s handle while demanding Percocet.
Investigators said surveillance footage showed Lane pointing the gun at three employees. He was then given two bottles of Percocet before leaving the store.
Officers were waiting outside and confronted Lane in the parking lot. Police ordered him to get on the ground, but authorities said he refused. Lane allegedly pulled out the revolver, cocked the hammer and pointed the weapon toward officers.
One of the responding officers fired several rounds. Lane was not hit, and police took him into custody without further injuries. Pennsylvania State Police later said investigators believed Lane was attempting to provoke police into shooting him.
Investigators say the Walgreens robbery followed two other alleged incidents earlier that morning.
Lane told police that around 2 a.m., he entered a Jeannette home through a window while looking for drugs. He allegedly found two oxycodone pills in the home and took them. The homeowner later told local media that the break-in left the family concerned about security, although nobody in the home was injured.
Several hours later, Lane reportedly told Pennsylvania State Police that he had stolen a revolver from a home in Penn Borough. Investigators say that same firearm was involved in the confrontation outside Walgreens.
During an interview with investigators, Lane said he was experiencing withdrawal symptoms related to drug addiction, according to authorities.
Lane is charged with robbery, terroristic threats, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and reckless endangerment. He was arraigned Wednesday and denied bail. He remains in custody at the Westmoreland County Prison.
The case remains under investigation. The allegations against Lane are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
