Man held in federal custody after search of Olney home yields gun, drug evidence

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A 44-year-old man is being held in federal custody after appearing in court on gun and drug charges tied to a search of a home in the Olney section of the city.

Police continued to secure the property on Chew Avenue five days after executing a search warrant there. The man at the center of the case, Eugene Horsch, made an initial appearance in federal court Tuesday, where it was determined he will remain in custody as the case proceeds.

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Multiple law enforcement agencies are conducting an investigation after chemicals, ammunition and drugs were found inside a home in Olney.

Authorities said additional details have emerged about what investigators found inside the home during the search on Friday. Among the items recovered were a 55-gallon drum in the basement, along with chemicals and zip ties.

Documents obtained by Action News also indicate officers found a handwritten note referencing serial killer Ted Bundy and methods for disposing of trash. The note was unsigned.

SEE ALSO | Note mentioning serial killer Ted Bundy, zip ties found at Olney home

The investigation began June 19 with a disturbance reported on the 600 block of Market Street on Independence Mall. Police said Horsch was in possession of fake DEA credentials at the time, and a woman accompanying him allegedly provided a false identification bearing the name of a woman who had been reported missing.

Those developments drew renewed attention from the family of Amy McHale, who disappeared in 2016 and was last seen at the Chew Avenue home.

READ MORE | Missing woman's family says she was last seen at Olney home where police found chemicals, weapons

Investigators said they are conducting DNA testing but emphasized that no bodies have been found at the residence. They cautioned that the process could take time.

"This is not like a TV show where you go to the commercial, come back and everything's done," said Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore.

Police said the scene will remain secured until all evidence has been fully processed.