Police beat Oct. 29
Contractor arrested: Mark Allen May, 52, of 723 N. Franklin St., Washington, was arrested Tuesday by state police on charges of deceptive business practices and theft. He is accused of taking $2,000 in cash from an Amwell Township woman Oct. 20 to replace her furnace. May, who until Monday worked for a Washington heating contractor, was doing the work as a side job. He reportedly told her several times he was coming the next day to do the work but never did, police said. He was arraigned before District Judge Ethan Ward and placed in Washington County jail on $2,000 bond.
Resisting, drug charges: Joshua Levers, 31, of 104 Warren St., Bentleyville, was arrested Monday by Bentleyville police after they responded to a disturbance call at his home. Susan Levers told police he threatened to beat her and slash her tires. Levers ran out the door and was caught in a wooded area. Suspected marijuana was found in the house. He was arraigned before District Judge Joshua Kanalis on charges of flight to avoid apprehension, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, disorderly conduct, terroristic threats and harassment. He was placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond.
Fraud, theft charges: Robert George Donahue, 31, of Pitttsburgh, was charged Friday by state police with access device fraud, theft, reeiving stolen property and forgery. He is accused of cashing a counterfeit check with the name and account number of the victim on the check. The victim, John Wise of Buffalo, told state police he did not give Donahue access to his account. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.
Theft, burglary charges: David Scott Hewitt, 43, of 216 Reed Ave., Monessen, was arraigned Monday before District Judge Joshua Kanalis on charges of burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal trespass filed by California police. He is accused of entering two properties owned by Willie Matsko and stealing items valued at $3,111. He was placed in Washington County jail on $50,000 bond.
Escape, DUI charges: Lyle M. Areford Sr., of 576 Castle Run Road, Ruff Creek, was arrested by state police Monday stemming from a traffic stop for not having a valid registration on West Wylie Avenue near Helen Street, Canton. His blood-alcohol content was double the 0.08 limit presumed for intoxication. He had an open can of beer in the vehicle. Areford also got out of his vehicle and ran, but was caught after a brief chase. Areford was arraigned before District Judge David Mark on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, escape, having an open container of alcohol and numerous traffic violations. He was placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. A preliminary was set for Nov. 12 before Mark.
Truck damaged: Bud Behling, Mayview Road, told township police Monday a box truck parked on his property was damaged Saturday night or Sunday morning. On the truck was a 4-by-15-foot wrap from the movie “Frozen” that was ripped, police said.
Bicycle stolen: Jodi Smith, of West Pike Street, told Chartiers police Sunday her son’s purple BMX bicycle was stolen from their home.
Obstruction, false ID charges: Jessica Renee Miller, 20, of 1966 S. Main St., Washington, was charged Friday by Donegal police with obstruction of government function, false identification, driving under suspension and failure to drive at a safe speed. Police stopped her Sept. 15 on Main Street at Green Street in Claysville. She told police she did not have her license with her and gave another woman’s name and birthdate. Police learned from the other woman Miller had done this in the past. Her license is also suspended. Charges were sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.
Driver injured: Colton Sowers of Monongahela was injured when his vehicle crashed into a tractor-trailer stopped on the shoulder of Interstate 70 westbound just east of the West Virginia state line, Donegal, about 6:15 a.m. Tuesday. State police identified the driver of the rig as Howard S. Byrley of West Hamlin, W.Va. The highway was blocked for a brief time.
Theft, forgery charges: Jeremy Lawrence Newman, 23, of 44 Main St., Atlasburg, was charged Monday by McDonald police with forgery, theft and bad checks. He is accused of cashing a stolen check at the Giant Eagle in McDonald last month. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of Senior District Judge Jay Dutton.
Tanker recovered: North Strabane police recovered a new Mack tanker that was reported stolen by Rocky Express of San Antonio, Texas. A company representative contacted police Monday morning. A driver obtained the tanker in Ohio two months ago and was using it to haul fracturing sand. The company lost contact with the driver but learned he lived in North Strabane. The truck was found in a gravel lot on Route 519 near Interstate 79.
Business burglarized: North Strabane police said the Pool and Spa Outlet, 160 Galley Road, was burglarized late Sunday or early Monday. A safe was stolen from the store was recovered in West Homestead Monday night. The cash register also was pried open.
Construction equipment stolen: A diesel pump from a tank owned by Allison Park Contractors at a construction site in the 3400 block of Route 136 in Nottingham Township was stolen over the weekend, state police said.
Sheep missing: Dan Taylor of Stone Church Road told Southwest Regional police a fence around the perimeter of his property was damaged Oct. 23 and tire marks were on the ground leading to the damaged section. Two sheep kept in the fenced area, one black and one white, were missing. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 724-929-8484.
Simple assault: Joseph V. Monroe, 26, of 823 E. Wheeling St., Washington, was charged by Washington police with simple assault after he allegedly punched his wife and mother-in-law in the head Oct. 21, police said. The charges were sent from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.