Coudersport Man Charged with Causing Catastrophe After Gas Threat
COUDERSPORT, Pa. – Stephen Hamilton, 33, a resident of Coudersport, was taken into custody on October 2, 2026 after threatening to detonate an open gas line inside his home at 305 Cartee Street. The incident prompted the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Coudersport Crime Unit to respond alongside the Coudersport Borough Police Department.
According to the PSP Public Information Release Report (case no. 2026‑1260918), officers arrived at the residence following a call about a possibly violent individual. Hamilton barricaded himself inside, communicated with troopers, and transmitted a video showing the exposed gas line. He warned that he would blow up the residence, leading PSP to evacuate multiple nearby blocks and request assistance from UGI to shut off the gas supply. The PSP Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) also responded.
After negotiations, Hamilton agreed to surrender and was taken into custody without further incident. He is being held pending arraignment.
Hamilton has been charged in District Court under 55‑3‑01 with a felony count of “Causing or Risking Catastrophe” (18 Pa.C.S. § 3302(b)). No bail amount or conditions were disclosed in the release. The investigating officer listed on the report is Trooper J. Miles, badge number 11296 (ID 683067). No judge or magistrate has been assigned at this stage.
The case remains open, and Hamilton is expected to appear before the court for an arraignment where the formal plea and any bail considerations will be addressed. The Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the gas line threat.
As required by law, Hamilton is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the matter will be prosecuted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Coudersport Fire Dept had posted the below during the incident
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