Police, fire called to motel
A knock on the door of a North Franklin Township motel room Saturday night by a man claiming to be a police officer ended with response by not only township police, but also firefighters, and three people are facing charges.
Police were called to Days Inn, 1370 W. Chestnut St., about 9:35 p.m. for a report of a man claiming to be a police officer knocking on the door of a room. David Smith of Springfield, Ohio, who was staying in the room, said he could see the man, later identified as Michael S. Breese, 19, of 650 Maple Ave., Washington, and knew he was not a police officer.
When police arrived, they found Breese, along with Tiffany K. Huggins, 22, of 516 Eldersville Road, Burgettstown, and Ryan D. Hough, 22, of 340 Fayette St., Washington.
Breese told township police he was at the Circle K convenience store, 701 W. Chestnut St., Washington, when a pickup truck pulled out of the lot and ran over his foot. They found the truck parked outside the motel room and went to confront the driver.
Smith and five others who work for Ralph Evans tree-cutting service were staying in a room at the motel. Smith had been driving Evans’ truck, police said.
Evans told police that Smith was buying marijuana from Breese. Smith reportedly took the marijuana and left, driving over Breese’s foot. Breese was reportedly angry that he got ripped off in the deal, police said.
While at the room, police smelled a strong odor of gasoline. The occupants of the room told police that they stored their equipment, including chain saws, in the room.
Motel employees were alerted of the potential hazard. The township fire department was called to ventilate the room. Investigators determined the carpet in the room was saturated with gasoline. It had already been cut, so firefighters carried it out of the room.
The occupants of the room were evicted by motel personnel.
Breese will be charged with impersonating a public servant and disorderly conduct. Huggins and Hough will be charged with disorderly conduct. There was no indication if Smith or any of the others in the room would be charged.