Duquesne, PA (PPP)— Jaylen Demonte Dukes, 21, of Duquesne, is facing multiple criminal charges after a March 12th traffic stop.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed with the Duquesne Magisterial District Court, an officer from the City of Duquesne Police Department observed a white Cadillac sedan driving westbound on Grant Avenue and ran the registration on his in-car terminal. The registered owner was Jaylen Dukes, who had a suspended ignition interlock-only license and an expired license.

After following the vehicle and observing it make a turn without using a turn signal, the officer conducted a traffic stop.

Jaylen Dukes exited the vehicle without prompting from the officer, who noticed the odor of marijuana on his person. During a subsequent search, the officer recovered marijuana and a loaded Sig-Sauer P238 .380 auto handgun, which was reported stolen by North Fayette Township Police Department in 2019.

Name: Jaylen Demonte Dukes
Gender: Male
Age: 21

Agency: Duquesne Police Department

Court: Magisterial District Court 05-2-47
Docket Number: MJ-05247-CR-0000127-2023
Date Filed: March 12, 2023

Bail: $5,000 monetary
Confinement: Allegheny County Jail
Confinement Reason: Unable to post bail. Note: A surety bond was posted the same day by Liberty Bail Bonds.

Criminal Charges

1. Receiving stolen property, Felony 2
2. Carrying firearm without a license, Felony 3
3. Prohibited acts – possession of a controlled substance, Misdemeanor
4. Prohibited acts – possession of a controlled substance, Misdemeanor
5. Illegally operating a motor vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock, Misdemeanor
6. Drivers required to be licensed, Summary offense
7. Driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked, Summary offense
8. Turning movements and required signals, Summary offense

Affidavit of Probable Cause
On Sunday, March 12th, 2023, at 2044 hours, I, Ofc. Hunter J Scherf, of the City of Duquesne Police Department, observed a white colored Cadillac sedan, bearing PA registration ███████ driving westbound on Grant Avenue. I ran the registration on my in-car terminal and noticed that the registered owner, Jaylen Dukes, had a suspended ignition interlock only license. The license was also expired. I noticed that the windows on the vehicle were tinted to the degree that I could not see any occupants of the vehicle.

I followed the vehicle up Grant Ave and observed the vehicle make a left hand turn on to Auriles Street without the use of a turn signal. I activated my emergency lights and conducted a vehicle stop midblock in the 00 block of Auriles Street. The driver began reaching toward the back seat of the vehicle, twisting his body around in the driver’s seat, a common action when retrieving or storing weapons.

While I was calling out my location and registration information to dispatch, the driver, Jaylen Dukes, exited the vehicle, without any prompting from me. This is a common tactic employed by persons attempting to distance themselves from a vehicle due to contraband within. I noticed empty bags of marijuana and a rolling tray in the door-well. I ordered him to come back to me with his hands up and advised him of the reason for the stop. I quickly conducted a terry frisk with negative results. I noticed the heavy odor of marijuana present on Dukes’ person. I ran his license which came back suspended ignition interlock only, with no concealed carry permit. I asked Dukes for his registration and insurance information. He advised that the documents were in his vehicle which he had locked the keys in on “accident”. I noticed that the physical key had been removed from Dukes’ keyfob.

I approached the vehicle with my flashlight and observed two bags of marijuana on the passenger seat. I also observed a marijuana cigarette in the ash tray in the center cupholder.

I advised Dukes of my observations and asked if I had permission to search his vehicle. He stated that I could search if I could get the vehicle unlocked. He provided me with the keyfob. Ofc. Yuhouse managed to get the rear driver side door open using the fob. I notified Dukes that he could withdraw his consent at any time if he wanted to stop the search. I searched the vehicle and recovered the marijuana from the passenger side floor, the driver side door, and the cupholder. I also located a loaded Sig-Sauer P238 .380 auto handgun (serial #27B166746) with one .380 round in the chamber. I confronted Dukes regarding the firearm, and he admitted it belonged to him stating “it’s mine”. He added that he carries the gun for protection because he was previously shot.

The vehicle was towed by Leo’s Towing and an inventory search was completed.

The gun was ran through NCIC and was found to be reported stolen by North Fayette Township Police Department in 2019. NFTP advised that the stolen hit was still active.

Based upon the above listed facts and circumstances, I, Ofc. Hunter J Scherf, do respectfully request that Jaylen Dukes answer to the listed offenses.