Man Allegedly Used Firework To Blow Up Toilet At Pittsburgh Casino After Getting Caught Stealing Alcohol

A Pennsylvania man is facing charges for allegedly blowing up a casino toilet with a “commercial-grade” firework after he was caught trying to steal bottles of alcohol from a restaurant, police said.

Pennsylvania State Police said security at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh caught Jeremy Allen Hartman trespassing inside a closed restaurant at around 5:41 a.m. Sunday. Hartman was allegedly trying to steal bottle of alcohol valued at up to $4,000.

While being escorted to a secure holding area at the casino, Hartman asked to use the restroom, and was given access to an employee restroom. Inside, he allegedly lit a “commercial-grade firework” and placed it in a toilet. In the explosion that followed, a casino employee who was also using the restroom sustained minor injuries, police said.

The Pittsburgh Police Bomb Squad and K-9 Unit responded to the scene and carried out a precautionary search of the casino. A search warrant executed on Hartman’s vehicle on the fifth floor of the casino parking garage revealed additional commercial-grade fireworks.

State police charged Hartman with risking a catastrophe, arson, theft, criminal mischief, recklessly endangering another person, and receiving stolen property.

State police said the investigation is ongoing with the assistance of the State Police Rivers Gaming Enforcement Unit and the Rivers Casino.