Jacob Lee

A “Stop” sign and a “10-ton weight limit” sign in the back seat of a man's Jeep raised a Jackson Township police officer's suspicions.

A long metal post sticking out the rear of the vehicle is apparently what first drew officer Zeke Reed's attention to the Jeep just after 2 a.m. Monday on the side of Hartmann Road, police said.

Reed asked the driver, Jacob W. Lee, 20, of Forward Township, if he had struck the signs with the vehicle or if he was stealing them.

“I'm stealing them,” the suspect replied, according to court documents.

Police charged Lee with taking the signs. But that was not all. They suspected he was impaired. He also allegedly admitted having a .44 magnum revolver in the Jeep's back seat area.

Officers subsequently searched the vehicle and found the loaded handgun, which Lee told police a relative had given him, according to charging documents. Reed noted that Lee did not have a concealed carry permit for the gun.

Police arrested Lee, and District Judge Kevin O'Donnell later arraigned him on a felony charge of possessing a firearm without a carry license and misdemeanor charges of theft, receiving stolen property and driving under the influence. Additionally, he faces a summary charge of underage drinking.

He is free on $5,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 7 at the office of District Judge Wayne Seibel in Evans City.

Online records did not indicate if he has an attorney. He did not return a telephone message Wednesday.

Police said they also plan to charge Lee's passenger, Nicholas W. Hribal, 20, of Seven Fields, with theft in connection with the suspected stolen signs. He will be charged by summons, Jackson Township police Chief Terry Seilhamer said Wednesday.