Teen Charged in Fire Extinguisher Prank Going to Trial

A Pittsburgh teen who was caught on cell phone video discharging a fire extinguisher at a Scott Township pizza restaurant is heading to trial on some of the charges.

Jacob R. Stewart, 19, waived to court charges of risking a catastrophe, criminal mischief, theft and five counts of reckless endangerment before his preliminary hearing with District Judge Gary M. Zyra on Jan. 17. Numerous other charges, including multiple counts of simple assault and conspiracy, were withdrawn by police.

Scott Township police said Stewart took a fire extinguisher from the Pizza Hut on Greentree Road and discharged it as a prank on Nov. 29. Police said one of two other people allegedly involved in the prank videotaped it with her cell phone.

Police said damage done during the prank cost the restaurant around $5,000. Police also said some employees suffering from asthma were affected by the “dry chemical substance” from the extinguisher.

Most charges against a third person charged in the prank were withdrawn. Jeremiah Jordheim, 19, of Pittsburgh, waived to court one felony charge of conspiracy. However, nearly a dozen other conspiracy charges against Jordheim were withdrawn by police.

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District Judge Gary M. Zyra – 1/17

Charges held for court

• A terroristic threats charge against Jon C. Geiger, 41, of Scott, was held for court. Scott Township police charged Geiger on Oct. 14.

Charges waived to court

• Charges of theft and receiving stolen property against James E. Wolfe III, 24, of Scott, were waived to court. Heidelberg police charged Wolfe on Oct. 29.

• Drunken driving and careless driving charges against Craig Campbell, 38, of Scott, were waived to court. A charge of accident involving damage was withdrawn. Heidelberg police arrested Campbell on Oct. 27.

• Charges of false identification to police and driving on a suspended license against Michael J. Tandarich, 36, of Carnegie, were waived to court. A charge of identity theft against Tandarich was withdrawn. Heidelberg police originally charged Tandarich on Feb. 9.

• A charge of bad checks against Donna McKissick, 43, of Butler, was waived to court. Heidelberg police charged McKissick on Jan. 25, 2012.

Charges withdrawn or reduced

• A harassment charge against Danine Kaercher, 35, of New Castle, was reduced to a non-traffic citation while charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment and criminal attempt were withdrawn. Heidelberg police charged Kaercher on Dec. 24.

• A harassment charge against Vinod Vijayan, 34, of Scott Township, was reduced to a non-traffic citation while a simple assault charge was withdrawn. Scott Township police charged Vijayan on Jan. 4.

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