Jul 28, 2015 2 min read

Two men were arrested Monday night by Donora police after arrangements allegedly were made to purchase three bricks of heroin from one of the suspects.

Jesse Lee Grant, 23, of Turtle Creek, and Mario Santa Colombo III, 21, of 636 Third St., Monessen, were taken into custody about 10:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Donora 6-Pack Station, 750 Meldon Ave.

An unidentified man came to the parking lot and, in the presence of police, called Grant on speaker phone to arrange a narcotics transaction for three bricks of heroin in the parking lot of the business, police said.

Police had the lot under surveillance when a car pulled in. Santa Colombo was identified as the driver and Grant as a passenger in the back seat. Grant reportedly motioned to the unidentified man to come to the side of the building.

Police quickly moved in to apprehend Grant. When he saw police, Grant reportedly ran behind the building and refused to stop. Police chased him through brush and across railroad tracks onto Galiffa Drive, where he was taken into custody. Police said they found three bricks of suspected heroin on the curb of Galiffa where Grant came out of the brush.

Police also learned Grant was wanted on a warrant in Westmoreland County. He was interviewed by police and allegedly admitted to selling heroin to support his family.

Both men were arraigned before District Judge Joshua Kanalis. Grant is charged with possession and possession with intent to deliver heroin, flight to avoid apprehension, resisting arrest and conspiracy. He was placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. Santa Colombo was charged with conspiracy to deliver heroin. He was released from jail Tuesday after posting $25,000 bond.

Both men are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 19 before District Judge Mark Wilson.