Police Beat April 6
Criminal mischief charge: Jessica Russell-Melvin, 32, of 24-B Windy Hill Lane, Burgettstown, will be charged by McDonald police with criminal mischief for allegedly throwing rocks and kicking a window at the home of Darlo Bongiorni of 5 Hillcrest Ave., Burgettstown, Sunday. Police said the window was damaged.
Station burglarized: The Sunoco station at 404 W. Pike St. was burglarized late Saturday or early Sunday, Canonsburg police said. An employee did not discover the break-in until he opened the cash register drawer and noticed money was stolen. He then discovered a windowpane broken in a garage door and found the door was unlocked.
Vehicle entered: Whitney Trunzo of 20 Meadow Lane told Canonsburg police Saturday $53, loose change and a cellphone charger were stolen from her vehicle.
Hit-and-run crash: Linda McCoy, 68, of Valley View Terrace, Canonsburg, was slightly injured in a hit-and-run crash about 6:20 p.m. Friday at Greenside Avenue and East College Street, Canonsburg police said. She told police the other car hit the side of her car, spun it around and continued west on East College. Witnesses told police it was a dark sports car. Police found parts that appear to belong to a 2004 to 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix.
Vehicle damaged: Shayne A. Nichols of 614 Valley View Terrace told Canonsburg police his vehicle was damaged while parked in a lot on Dawson Street.
Faces several charges: Cleotis Russell, 32, of 525 First St., Charleroi, was arrested Monday by Charleroi Regional police after he reportedly ran from officers trying to take him into custody on a warrant. Police spotted him in the 300 block of Washington Avenue. When they told him to stop, he allegedly ran through several yards before he was caught. Police said Russell then struggled with officers when they tried to take him into custody. He was wanted on a warrant on a charge of false identification to police for allegedly giving them an incorrect name when they were investigating him as a suspicious person March 14. He also allegedly ran from police during that incident. He was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger on charges of false identification, flight to avoid apprehension, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was placed in Washington County jail on $20,000 bond.
Assault case: Jeremy Carr, 32, and Pamela Brooks, 41, both of 424 Monongahela St., North Charleroi, are charged by Charleroi Regional police with simple assault, court records show. Carr is accused of causing several deep puncture wounds to Brooks’ left hand, while she allegedly struck him several times in the face about 6:45 a.m. Sunday. They will receive the charges in summons filed Monday before District Judge Larry Hopkins.
DUI alleged in crash: Jefferson Grady Paxton, 27, of 236 N. Main St., Houston, will be charged by Chartiers police with driving under the influence of alcohol after his vehicle crashed into an embankment early Friday on West Pike Street at Arnold Hollow Road.
Card used: Cynthia Adams of Seik Road told Chartiers police Friday information from her debit card was used to make a $200 purchase at Walmart in Greensburg.
Assault case: Thomas J. Kokoska, 23, of 1024 Rostraver St., Monessen, is charged by city police with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct, court records show. Kokoska is accused of striking Eric Sassak in the face about 3 p.m. March 21 at 231 Knox Ave. He will receive the charges, filed Monday, from District Judge Joseph Dalfonso.
Bad check charge: Neil Cope, 43, of 318 Oneida St., Monessen, is charged in a private criminal complaint with bad checks, over accusations he issued a bad check in the amount of $669.96 to FACS Promotions Inc. of Youngstown, Ohio, Oct. 15, court records show. Cope will receive the charge, filed Monday, from District Judge Joseph Dalfonso.
Traffic stop: Donald Payne, 45, of Clairton, is charged by city police with possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from a traffic stop about 1:25 a.m. March 31 in the 100 block of West Main Street, court records show. Payne was turned over to Monessen police, who had a warrant for his arrest on a charge of receiving stolen property. District Judge Joseph Dalfonso released him on unsecured bond.
Two charged: Gracey Hood, 21, and Nicole Starnes, 41, both of 19 Culley Lane, were charged by Mt. Pleasant police with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct stemming from an altercation early Saturday at their home. Starnes, who police said was intoxicated, was arguing with her son. When Hood entered the room, Starnes allegedly attacked Hood and the two fought. Starnes also is accused of biting her 21-year-old son, Jeremy Tunget. He refused treatment. Starnes was taken to Canonsburg Hospital for nose and ankle injuries. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Traci McDonald.
Clothing stolen: Margaret Zombeck of 15 Meriage St. told Mt. Pleasant police Monday clothing and $220 were stolen from her home.
Prostitution, drug charges: Mary Elizabeth Cox, 33, of 737 Findlay St., Washington, was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge Robert Redlinger on a charge of prostitution filed by state police and charges of possession of paraphernalia and criminal trespass filed by Washington police. Cox is accused of making an offer to perform sex acts for a fee to two undercover state troopers last August on West Chestnut Street, North Franklin. She was charged by city police after she allegedly was found in an abandoned building in the 10 block of West Chestnut with paraphernalia, also last August. She was released on $20,000 unsecured bond.
Mother, daughter charged: Aliza K. Donaldson, 23, of 10 Northern Ave., Joffre, and her mother, Dawn D. Sweety, 45, of 204 Highland Ave., McDonald, face charges after allegedly assaulting each other during a Jan. 26 confrontation at Donaldson’s home, Smith police said. Sweety is accused of knocking Donaldson to the floor and trying to strangle her. Donaldson reportedly grabbed a glass coffee pot and hit her mother on the head with it. Sweety allegedly tried to choke her daughter a second time, this time in the presence of police. Police said both women appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. Donaldson is charged with aggravated and simple assault and harassment. Sweety is charged with simple assault and harassment. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Gary Havelka.
Boyfriend charged: Brandon A. Boyer, 30, of 25 Verner Ave. Extension, Bulger, was charged by Smith police with simple assault and harassment for allegedly throwing a bottle of vinegar at his girlfriend, Nicole Travis, during a March 19 confrontation. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Gary Havelka.
Bar cited: Rosie’s Mingo Inn, 2698 Route 136, Somerset, was cited by state liquor authorities last week for allowing a loudspeaker to be used so entertainment could be heard outside the building several times in November, December and January.
Women arrested: Stacy R. Nicholas, 30, of 321 Cadwallader St., Brownsville, and Jazzman Renee Tinsley, 25, of 50 South Hills Terrace, Brownsville, were taken into custody Monday night by South Strabane police during a traffic stop on Murtland Avenue near North Avenue. Nicholas was arraigned before District Judge Gary Havelka on charges of retail theft, possessing instruments of a crime and possession of paraphernalia on a warrant obtained by West Mifflin police after she allegedly stole clothing Dec. 10 from a Kohl’s store. She was placed in Washington County jail on $2,500 bond. Tinsley was wanted on a Fayette County bench warrant after she failed to appear for a preliminary hearing earlier this month on a retail theft charge filed by state police stemming from a Feb. 5 incident in Redstone Township. She also was placed in jail.
Theft arrest: Amber K. Branthoover, 24, of Accident, Md., was arrested Monday by South Strabane police on a charge of retail theft after she allegedly stole items valued at $277.94 from Gabe’s, Northgate Plaza. She was arraigned before District Judge Gary Havelka and released on her own recognizance.
Drug charges: Leon McClain, 26, of 184 Laurie Lane, Washington, faces charges of possession of heroin and paraphernalia after he allegedly used heroin in a restroom in Washington Hospital’s emergency room early Tuesday. Hospital security reportedly found him with used syringes and one filled with suspected heroin.
Man assaulted: Clifford L. Smith, 33, of 102 Jollick Manor, told Washington police Monday he was assaulted by his ex-wife and her boyfriend, who reportedly forced their way into his home. Police said Christina Gregg, who was at Smith’s home, hid in a bathroom. Items inside the home were damaged, and the two suspects allegedly slashed tires on a vehicle once they left Smith’s house. Smith was treated at the scene. Charges are pending against the suspects.
Assault arrest: Martin Moye, 30, of 140 Grove Ave., Washington, was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge Robert Redlinger on a charge of simple assault. Washington police said he grabbed Lacy Evanovich by the face during a Feb. 12 confrontation at her home at 445 Broad St. He was placed in Washington County jail on a $10,000 percentage bond.