×

Police: Dealer arrested after ride from officer

When an alleged drug dealer needed a ride from Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Altoona police were there to help.

Rakim L. Johnson, 20, of 115 Second Ave., second floor, was taken into custody about 8 p.m. Wednesday in Altoona after Johnson allegedly gave an undercover Altoona police officer crack cocaine and heroin for giving him a ride back to Blair County from Pittsburgh, according to police.

Altoona police learned Wednesday that Johnson was looking for a ride back from Pittsburgh and that he had drugs he was going to sell, according to the charges filed before Magisterial District Judge Todd Kelly.

Altoona police Detective Sgt. Chris Moser said after the undercover officer picked Johnson up in Pittsburgh, Johnson gave the officer the crack and heroin as they returned to Blair County on Route 22. Police said Johnson gave the officer two $20 rocks of crack cocaine and four packets of heroin stamped “Star Wars.”

When the officer, who was being followed by other officers on the trip, arrived in Altoona, he parked the car and got out at a local convenience store. It was then police arrested Johnson.

Police said they found 93 packets of heroin, 27 $20 bags of cocaine and eight bags of $50 rocks of crack cocaine as well as two cellphones in the vehicle where Johnson was sitting.

The value of the drugs was about $940, according to police.

Moser said Johnson is believed to have come from Pittsburgh and has been in Altoona to sell drugs since the beginning of summer. The investigation into Johnson was funded in part by Operation Our Town.

Johnson was arraigned Thursday morning by Magisterial District Judge Paula Aigner and lodged in Blair County Prison in lieu of $75,000 cash. A preliminary hearing is slated for Wednesday at Central Court.

 

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today