A convicted felon wanted for violating parole was carrying a gun illegally when New Kensington police arrested him Wednesday for trying to pass a counterfeit $10 bill, according to his arrest papers.
Alejandro David D’Argan, 26, of the 600 block of Fifth Avenue was charged with felony counts of illegal possession of a firearm and forgery, along with resisting arrest and carrying a firearm without a license.
New Kensington police were dispatched about 10 p.m. Feb. 8 to the Family Dollar store along Industrial Boulevard for a report of a man trying to pass counterfeit money, according to a criminal complaint.
Police confirmed that the bill was fake and questioned D’Argan, who told them he got the money “selling weed,” the complaint said.
While on the scene, police learned D’Argan was wanted for violating his parole after being released from custody on a previous conviction for aggravated assault.
When asked by police, D’Argan admitted he was carrying a gun in his jacket pocket and a 9mm pistol was confiscated, the complaint said.
D’Argan’s previous conviction and the parole violation prohibits him from possessing a gun, police said.
Investigators said D’Argan shouted, “I can’t go back in,” when officers tried to handcuff him. They say he ran for the front entrance to escape.
Police were able to keep him from leaving, but he continued to resist being handcuffed. Officers used a Taser to take him into custody, the complaint said.
Nine fake $10 bills were found in D’Argan’s pockets when police searched him, the complaint said.
D’Argan is being detained in the Westmoreland County jail after bail was denied at his arraignment. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 23 before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.
New Kensington police charged D’Argan with felony aggravated assault in November 2016, and he pleaded guilty to the charge in July 2017, according to court records. He was sentenced to five to 20 years in jail.
