Police Beat April 2
Theft arrest: Joseph Michael Avolia, 27, of 41 Washington Ave., Hickory, was arrested Thursday by state police on a charge of theft by deception. Avolia allegedly took $3,300 from Tracey Melinda Barrie and Brenda Lee Miller of Canton for a trip to Las Vegas. They later learned the trip had never been booked. Avolia indicated he would repay the money but did not, police said. He was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger and placed in Washington County jail on a $5,000 percentage bond.
Picture stolen: State police said a picture was stolen Thursday from a wall in a common area of an apartment building at 2390 Jefferson Ave., Canton. Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 724-223-5200.
Drug arrest: Tyler J. Winstone, 22, of 702 Lookout Ave., Charleroi, is charged by Charleroi Regional police with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, court records show. He is accused of having one stamp bag of heroin and Suboxone strips when police raided his residence about 7:20 a.m. last June 26. He is in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond set Thursday by District Judge Larry Hopkins.
Burglary arrest: Christopher O’Brien, 20, of 617 Lincoln St., Monongahela, is charged by city police with burglary, theft and receiving stolen property, court records show. Police accuse O’Brien of breaking into 615 Lincoln St. about 7 p.m. March 24 and stealing a circular saw, two cellphones, five necklaces, several rings and a gaming device. He is in Washington County jail on $10,000 bond set Thursday by District Judge Mark Wilson.
Harassment charge: Justin John Pappa, 37, of 801 Frederick Court, Canonsburg, was charged this week by North Strabane police with stalking and harassment. He is accused of sending his estranged wife, Christina Pappa, more than 1,000 text messages over a three-day period last month. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.
False ID charge: Charles E. Brown, Jr., 31, of Vandergrift, was charged this week by North Strabane police with false identification to police, driving under suspension and an equipment violation stemming from a March 27 traffic stop. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.
Drug charge: Taylor M. Wagner, 18, of 614 Gladden Road, Canonsburg, was charged with possession of heroin and paraphernalia after police said the suspected drug was found in a purse she left March 21 at a home on Willow Street. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.
Charged in crash: Nanisha L. Smith, 22, of Clarksburg, W.Va., was charged by state police with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, failure to stay in her lane, following too closely, careless driving and reckless driving stemming from a March 9 crash on Interstate 79 southbound near the Racetrack Road exit. Police said blood tests indicate she had marijuana, codeine and morphine in her system. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.
PFA violation alleged: David R. Harden III, 33, of 204 Wilson Ave., Washington, was arrested early Friday by South Strabane police for allegedly violating a protection-from-abuse order. Ashley Harden told police he emailed her in violation of the order signed Thursday by Judge Gary Gilman. He was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger and placed in Washington County jail on a $10,000 percentage bond.
Assault arrest: Matthew S. Coulter, 32, of 52 Highland Ave., Washington, was arrested on charges of simple assault and harassment for allegedly choking and punching Shannon Miller and throwing her to the floor and into a counter during a confrontation at their home. He was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger and placed in Washington County jail.
on a $10,000 percentage bond.