PITTSBURGH -- A teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools was suspended after she was arrested on drug charges.

Mary Steck, 51, was arrested Wednesday afternoon on the city's North Side on charges of possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia.

The arrest happened during a traffic stop along Marshall Avenue, about a mile away from Perry Traditional Academy, where Steck works as a physics teacher.

According to the criminal complaint, police were in the neighborhood because citizens had reported seeing an increase in drug sales. Shortly after they arrived, narcotics detectives said they witnessed a man Steck was with purchasing the heroin.

Police said the man got out of the vehicle, purchased the drugs and got back inside. When police pulled Steck over, they said they found heroin and a syringe in her purse.

"I think it's deep, because Perry's a very good school," said sophomore Tajore Napper. "We never been into nothing this serious."

"She was coming to school the whole time and she was doing drugs," said sophomore Kierra Demus. "So, it's like, 'You're a liar.'"

"I don't know, man. That was crazy," said senior Charles Sinagra. "I was shocked. I never thought she would do anything like that."

Steck, who was arraigned Thursday morning, faces two different drug charges, including possession of heroine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She is free on bond.

A district representative confirmed Steck was removed from a classroom. The representative said she was placed on leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

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