Police Beat Aug. 11
Burglary: State police said Shenanigans Bar, 921 Amity Ridge Road, was burglarized shortly after 5 a.m. Wednesday. Based on surveillance video, the robber was wearing a hoodie, long pants and a backpack who took about $60 from the bar’s jukebox and $100 from the cash register. Anyone with information is asked to call Trooper Christopher Storm at 724-223-5200.
Two-vehicle crash: Canonsburg police were called about 9:30 p.m. Thursday to a two-vehicle crash at Cavasina Drive and Morganza Road. Police said a vehicle driven by Gary Peel II, 46, of 211 Annuity Drive, South Franklin Township, hit the rear of a vehicle driven by Lisa Lash, 55, of 114 Beechnut Road, McDonald. Police said Peel was nodding off, and a cut straw containing a powdery substance was found inside the vehicle. Peel was taken to Canonsburg Hospital for evaluation.
Fugitive caught: Brian J. Christian, 31, of 417 Meadow Ave., Charleroi, was taken into custody as a fugitive from justice after Charleroi Regional police said they found him hiding behind a chimney in the attic of his home. He is wanted on a warrant from the Atlantic County, N.J., sheriff’s department on charges of possession of a firearm and credit card theft. He was arraigned before District Judge Jay Weller and placed in Washington County jail without bond, pending extradition.
Charged with strangulation: Jacob Joseph Cramer, 27, of 413 Bluff St., Belle Vernon, was arrested Wednesday night by Charleroi Regional police on charges of strangulation, simple assault, harassment and possession of drug paraphernalia after police were called to a domestic dispute at 1221 Crest Ave. His girlfriend told police Cramer choked her and told her he was going to snap her neck. She was taken to Monongahela Valley Hospital for treatment. Cramer was arraigned before District Judge Jay Weller and placed in Washington County jail on $5,000 bond. He was also barred from going back to the residence.
Drug charges: Marcella Lynn Shaffer, 46, of 540 Washington Ave., Charleroi, is charged by Charleroi Regional police with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, court records show. Police accuse her of having four stamp bags of heroin and a small amount of crack when an officer approached her at Fourth Street and Cherry Way about 8:30 p.m. June 28. District Judge Larry Hopkins signed a warrant Monday for her arrest.
Woman jailed: Angela M. Smith, 30, of 605 Fallowfield Ave., Charleroi, is charged by Charleroi Regional police with possession of drug paraphernalia and trespassing, court records show. Police accuse her of going to Dollar General, 514 Fallowfield Ave., about 10:20 a.m. June 9 after having been banned from the store. She was placed in Washington County jail on $15,000 bond after being arrested on a warrant and was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge Larry Hopkins.
Windshield damaged: Amanda Hughes of Penn Hills told Chartiers police early Thursday the windshield of her vehicle was damaged while she was stopped in the 800 block of Ridge Avenue. Charges are pending.
Window broken: Seminole Luther of 650 McClane Farm Road reported to Chartiers police Wednesday a beer bottle was thrown through the living room window of her residence.
Assault arrest: Eric Robert Amoroso, 24, of 253 Lowber Road, Fayette City, was arrested early Thursday by state police on charges of simple assault and harassment. Police said he allegedly shoved a woman to the floor during an argument over a television at a home at 37 Franklin St. in Cokeburg. He was arraigned before District Judge Jay Weller and released on unsecured bond with orders to stay away from the alleged victim.
Man wanted: Steven Sieckowski, 39, of 325 Blackburn St., West Newton, is wanted by borough police on charges of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, hindering prosecution, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal use of a cellphone stemming from a traffic stop about 2:40 a.m. July 18 at McKean Avenue and Chestnut Street, court records show. District Judge Larry Hopkins signed a warrant Monday for Sieckowski’s arrest.
Assault alleged: Shawn Anthony Gordon, 31, of 221 Waddell Ave., Donora, is charged by borough police with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct over allegations he struck Amanda Kish in the face about 2:40 a.m. Aug. 4 in his residence. District Judge Larry Hopkins issued the charges Monday via summons.
Assaults alleged: Roger S. Willis, 28, of 1062 McKean Ave., Donora, is charged by borough police with simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness, court records show. He is accused of striking Billie Jo Dawson in the face and pushing Cathy Coleman to the ground July 30 in the 100 block of Thompson Avenue. District Judge Larry Hopkins issued the charge in a summons to Washington County jail, where Willis has been held on a warrant since July 31.
Wanted in Ohio: Melvin Earl Hane II, 31, of 424 E. Wheeling St., Jefferson Village, East Washington, was arrested early Thursday by borough police as a fugitive from justice. Police were called to his home for a report of a heroin overdose. Police learned he was wanted on a warrant obtained Nov. 27 by authorities in Columbus, Ohio, charging him with aggravated robbery. He was arraigned before District Judge Jay Weller and placed in Washington County jail without bond, pending extradition.
Drug arrest: Duane Alan Rhodes, 30, of Tunnelton, W.Va., was arrested Wednesday night by Hanover police on charges of possession of Suboxone and paraphernalia and traffic violations stemming from a traffic stop on Route 18 near Steubenville Pike. The drug and paraphernalia were found in the vehicle, police said. Rhodes was arraigned before District Judge Jay Weller and placed in Washington County jail on $2,500 bond.
Theft alleged: Derrick Anthony Bass, 27, of 89 Connellsville St., Uniontown, is charged by city police with theft over allegations he stole $100 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets from Puff N Stuff, 301 E. Donner Ave., about 1:15 p.m. June 21, court records show. District Judge Joseph Dalfonso issued the charge Monday in a summons.
Two charged: Edward G. Gates Jr., 36, of Houston, Texas, and Samantha Abbott, 23, of Dakota City, Neb., were arrested Wednesday by South Strabane police for allegedly stealing items from Target in Strabane Square. Both were charged with retail theft and conspiracy. Abbott, who allegedly stole clothing, also is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Gates, who allegedly stole $2,400 in electronics, also is accused of damaging those items and is charged with criminal mischief. Gates also was wanted on a warrant obtained by South Strabane police on two counts of destroying inventory control tags June 26 and July 7. Both were arraigned before District Judge Jay Weller. Gates was put in Washington County jail on $20,000 bond. Abbott was jailed on $10,000 bond.
Money, card stolen: Kathleen Nestor of 1150 Maple Ave. told Washington police Tuesday $220 and her Access card were stolen from her home by a man who had been visiting. She was not able to tell police his name but said the two have a mutual friend.
Car stolen: Sydney Sherrieb of 45 Leet St. reported her silver 2003 Honda Accord with license HWE-3814 was stolen Tuesday from outside her home.
Money stolen: Washington police were called Wednesday to GetGo, 104 E. Wylie Ave., in response to an allegation a former employee stole money from the store. Police said the employee is seen on surveillance taking $150 from the register Aug. 2 and taking $250 from the register Monday and giving it to another man. Charges are pending.