PA Turnpike Interchange Bomb Threat: Latest Info

PITTSBURGH, PA — A man is facing multiple charges after flagging down Pennsylvania State Police near the Pennsylvania Turnpike Donegal exit and claiming he had a bomb in a truck.

According to the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office, troopers observed a pickup truck pulled over on the roadway shoulder.

Troopers located a man, Jeffrey Sever, 45, of McDonald, Washington County, holding an electronic device with an antenna. According to authorities, he shouted, "There's a bomb in the truck," and told police to calm down and back up.

State police said Sever appeared agitated and excited and relayed there was a gun in the vehicle.

Troopers continued to talk with Sever, then attempted to detain him.

As police attempted to handcuff Sever, he allegedly swung at troopers and forcefully grabbed at a trooper's duty weapon which was secure in a holster.

Troopers located ammunition in Sever's pocket and observed a firearm on the center console of the truck.

Due to Sever's claim of having an explosive device, police searched the truck but did not locate anything besides the firearm.

A search warrant was executed on the pickup truck, where police seized a pistol, three cell phones including one that appeared to be a detonation device, electrical wiring components, pieces of cut PVC pipe, and a rope soaked in a suspected fuel product.

Troopers said the truck and the gun belonged to another man and Sever was not given permission to take the vehicle.

Sever is facing charges of possession of firearm prohibited, serious public inconvenience, disarming a law enforcement officer, possession of instrument of crime, terroristic threats, receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and resisting arrest.