Four charged for North Strabane traffic violation
What started as a traffic stop for an equipment violation last month by North Strabane Township police ended with a variety of charges filed this week against four people ranging from identity theft and false reports to drug violations.
Police stopped a car in the early morning hours of Nov. 28 for an equipment violation on Racetrack Road, near the ramp to Interstate 79 northbound.
After stopping the car, police said they could small a strong odor of marijuana. The driver, eventually identified as Jeffrey Turner, 36, of Pittsburgh, initially gave police a different name and date of birth. He told police the car did not belong to him, nor could he provide any registration or insurance information.
Antoine Dean, 27, of 52 Sumner Ave., Washington, who was a passenger in the vehicle, reportedly said they had been smoking marijuana. Police said he then tried to prevent them from entering the vehicle by locking the doors and taking the key to the vehicle with him as he walked away. He was charged with obstruction of administration of law enforcement and possession of paraphernalia.
Two women who were in the car, Angela Dixon, 21, of 2395 Belmont Ave., Washington, and Courtney R. Dixon, 24, of 824 W. Pike St., Houston, face charges of possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia. Angela Dixon allegedly had suspected heroin, and police said Courtney Dixon had suspected cocaine.
No marijuana was found in the car, which was searched after police obtained a warrant.
Police said Turner continued to insist for about 30 minutes that his name was the one he initially gave them. He was taken to the state police barracks for a scan of his fingerprints, which provided his correct identity. Police learned he was wanted in Allegheny County on a probation violation. He was charged with identity theft, false reports, false identification and several traffic and equipment violations.
Turner, who remains in Allegheny County jail after being placed there on the warrant, will be arraigned later before District Judge Jay Weller. Charges against the other three will be sent by summons from Weller’s office.