Man Faces Charges After Firework Blast and Theft at PA Casino

A man is facing several charges after multiple acts at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. 

Just before 6 am local time on Sunday, June 8, Jeremy Allen Hartman was initially taken into custody after trying to steal alcohol from a closed restaurant. 

While in custody, he requested to use the bathroom, and while in there, he lit a firework in the bathroom. 

More On What Happened

Hartman attempted to steal about $4,000 in liquor. While in custody, police allowed him to use the bathroom, and while in there, he threw a commercial-grade firework into a toilet, which led to an employee suffering minor injuries. They were treated by medical professionals and released. 

This series of events was confirmed by Rocco Gagliardi, who is with the Pennsylvania State Police. 

There was a search warrant on Hartman’s vehicle. After it was investigated, more commercial-grade fireworks were discovered. 

The car and the surrounding areas were confirmed to be free of explosives. 

Hartman is now facing charges such as arson, reckless endangerment, theft, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property, and more. 

In 2022, Hartman was accused of stalking and harassing a woman and her child. In all, he was charged with two counts of stalking, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, loitering and prowling at nighttime, harassment, and disorderly conduct.

Casino Speaks Out

Following the incident, a spokesperson for Rivers Casino released a statement, saying, "Early Sunday morning, an individual who caused a disturbance and vandalized property at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh was apprehended by security and arrested by the police. We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they investigate the incident," a casino spokesperson said Sunday afternoon.

Other Rivers Casino Crimes

Rivers Casino has multiple locations, including one in Pittsburgh and another in Philadelphia. At Rivers Casino Philadelphia, there was a bomb threat in February, a lawsuit was brought against it in January following a data breach, and in October, a 37-year-old man was shot in the parking lot.  

Around the same time as the shooting, there was a man, Frank Fine, who was charged with striking a security guard at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh. 

Fine was asked to leave the property but told Pennsylvania State Police, “I wanna go to jail today.”