Jan 28, 2015 4 min read

Forgery charge: Jessica Renee Miller, 20, whose last known address was on South Main Street in Amwell Township, is charged by state police with theft and forgery for allegedly forging her father’s signature on seven checks and cashing them for $5,200. The checks were reportedly stolen from his Amwell home. She was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger and placed in Washington County jail on $10,000 bond. She also was wanted on a bench warrant.

Disorderly house charges: Two people were charged recently with violating California’s disorderly house ordinance. Donald Edward Taylor, 43, of 251 Wood St., was charged Saturday by California police for allegedly playing music too loudly and making loud noises. Precious Martin, 20, of Harrisburg, was charged after she allegedly created a disturbance Sunday at Vulcan Village. Police were called for a medical emergency in which she reportedly was the victim. When personnel tried to treat her, she refused treatment and became disorderly, police said. Martin also faces a charge of disorderly conduct.

Store break-in: Police are investigating a break-in at the In-N-Out grocery store, 3369 Millers Run Road, that occurred Jan. 26. The back door was damaged, but nothing appeared to be stolen, police said.

Assault arrest: Brian C. Chabassol, 51, of 732 Western Ave., Chartiers, was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge David Mark on charges of aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. He is accused of hitting Michael J. Berola of Houston three times with an aluminum baseball bat during a Jan. 16 incident at his home, Chartiers police said. Berola was struck in the head, ribs, stomach and shoulders. He was taken to Canonsburg Hospital for treatment and required staples to close a wound on his head. Chabassol was released on $10,000 unsecured bond.

Driver charged: Jason A. Chiera, 31, of Brownsville, will be charged with failure to notify police of a crash, driving without a license, driving under suspension and other traffic violations stemming from a Jan. 10 crash on Dally Road at Chestnut Street in Long Branch. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Joshua Kanalis.

Charged in assault: Heather Steele, 20, of 332 Hancock St., North Franklin, was charged Tuesday by North Franklin police with simple assault and reckless endangerment. She is accused of hitting her husband, Michael Steele, four times. When she grabbed his arm, it caused him to drop their 9-month-old son, police said. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.

Warrant arrest: Shaquane Yarbrough, 18, of 21 Thayer St., Washington, was taken into custody Tuesday on a bench warrant for failure to appear stemming from an incident in a parking lot at 1360 W. Chestnut St. Police received a report that a man, later identified as Yarbrough, was being chased by someone driving a van. Police said the driver, Shantye Brown, 34, of 450 W. Chestnut St., will be charged with driving without a license. The owner of the van, Sherman Brown of Washington, will be charged with allowing her to drive the vehicle.

Tools stolen: Eric Podurgel told North Franklin police Jan. 22 that a gang box containing tools was stolen from a construction site for Habitat for Humanity at 190 W. Palm St. The box, which weighed about 1,000 pounds, had been chained to a trailer.

Money stolen: An employee of Taco Bell, 1340 W. Chestnut St., told North Franklin police Friday that $83 was stolen from the restaurant. Charges are pending, police said.

Liquor law violations: The operator of Max & Erma’s, 4093 Washington Road, was cited for several violations Monday by the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. The restaurant allegedly failed to clean its taps properly, failed to comply with an order that it provide alcohol management training and failed to keep complete and truthful records.

False reports alleged: William E. Merryman, 34, of 423 W. Pike St., Houston, was charged Tuesday by South Strabane police with false reports and harassment stemming from a Jan. 3 incident. He is accused of identifying himself as another man in calls to 911 and police while claiming he wanted to report harassment by his ex-girlfriend. Police learned he had reportedly been sending her text messages. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge David Mark.

One injured: Judy Stupak, 48, of Washington, was injured in a three-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 79 southbound near the south junction with Interstate 70 in South Strabane. State police identified the other drivers as Jerzy Skutnik, 55, of Woodstock, Ill., and Stephanie Squires, 28, of Crossville, Tenn. Stupak was taken to Canonsburg Hospital for treatment.

Attempted burglary: A woman reported to city police that someone attempted to break into her residence in the 400 block of Wilson Avenue Sunday, between 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. She noticed pry marks on the door frame, but the deadbolt was still locked.