Praying man in custody after car prompts Pa. alert

PITTSBURGH – Authorities say a man who recited a prayer, kissed the ground and told befuddled witnesses he worked for Jesus before abandoning his car at a subway construction site has been arrested.

Port Authority of Allegheny County spokesman Jim Ritchie says 34-year-old Nowell Howie was arrested a couple of blocks from the construction site.

Ritchie says a bomb squad searched the car because of Howie's actions and because he left the car in a restricted construction zone without explanation Friday afternoon. Nothing dangerous was found.

Ritchie says Howie handed out money and offered prayers to people before he was apprehended.

Howie has been charged with disorderly conduct and defiant trespass. Authorities say he claims to have multiple addresses.

He was taken to be examined by the behavioral unit at the Allegheny County Jail, where he can't be reached for comment.