Woman Charged After Stolen SUV Found on I-79
Howlora Helen Lee was arrested after calling 911 for roadside help while driving a vehicle reported stolen from a Pittsburgh hotel.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Property Crime
Police arrested Howlora Helen Lee, a Pittsburgh woman, after she called 911 for help along Interstate 79 southbound on Oct. 28. She is charged with receiving stolen property in connection with a 2027 Kia Sportage reported stolen from a Drury Inn and Suites hotel in Pittsburgh.
Why it matters
The case shows how a routine roadside call can lead to the discovery of a stolen vehicle and a criminal charge. For Pittsburgh residents, it highlights vehicle theft connected to local hotel valet operations.
Lee is charged with receiving stolen property and her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 25 before District Judge Douglas E. Straub in Pine Township. The vehicle was reported stolen from a Drury Inn and Suites hotel where Lee allegedly took the keys from the valet.
The players
Howlora Helen Lee
A Pittsburgh woman arrested after calling 911 while driving a stolen vehicle, now facing a charge of receiving stolen property.
Douglas E. Straub
The Pine Township district judge presiding over Lee's preliminary hearing scheduled for Nov. 25.
The details
Lee called 911 after running out of gas and having no money, and when officers arrived they found the vehicle was reported stolen. Police allege she took the keys from the hotel valet before driving the 2027 Kia Sportage onto Interstate 79.
Timeline
Oct. 28: Incident reported along Interstate 79 southbound near mile marker 122.3.
Nov. 25: Preliminary hearing scheduled before District Judge Douglas E. Straub.
Legal Context
Charges of receiving stolen property under Pennsylvania law are commonly filed when a person is found operating a vehicle they did not own, and this case follows that pattern. The preliminary hearing before a district judge is the standard first step for determining whether the case proceeds to trial.
Hotel guests and valet customers in Pittsburgh should be aware that vehicle keys left with valet services can be a target for theft. Drivers who run out of fuel should contact roadside assistance rather than relying on police to supply funds or transport.
The takeaway
Valet operators and hotel guests in Pittsburgh should verify vehicle handoffs and report missing keys immediately to limit the risk of theft.
What happens next
Lee's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 25 before District Judge Douglas E. Straub in Pine Township.
Further reading
For more on similar cases, explore Property Crime coverage in Pittsburgh.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Herald.
