Plum man accused of stealing 2 loaded handguns in Washington Township

A Plum man is accused by police of stealing two loaded handguns in Washington Township after officers came in contact with him twice in less than seven hours, according to court papers.

Brandon M. Wise, 39, is being held without bail at the Westmoreland County jail on charges of drug possession, unlawful firearm possession, theft and related offenses.

Township police first came into contact with Wise on Tuesday at 11 p.m., when, they said, responded to a report of a disabled vehicle on Route 66 near Goodview Drive, close to the intersection with Route 356. Police said they found crystal methamphetamine inside Wise’s wallet and a syringe in his vehicle, according to court papers.

Investigators told Wise he would receive charges by mailed summons and left the scene.

The same officer said that around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Wise and his vehicle were still at the original scene and had several items inside that were not there previously, according to court papers. Police said they were investigating a report of a gun taken from a vehicle around that time.

Authorities recovered two loaded handguns, a checkbook, a wallet, a laptop computer, two pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses and other items from two victims, according to court papers. Police estimated the value of items taken at $4,560.

Wise is not permitted to have a firearm because of previous burglary and criminal trespass convictions, according to court papers. He was arraigned Wednesday afternoon and did not have an attorney listed in online court records.

A preliminary hearing is set for Monday, June 27.