Police beat Jan. 10
Club cited: The operators of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 395 Hazel St., Bentleyville, were cited last week by the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement for operating an unlawful raffle, failure to maintain truthful records concerning small games of chance and failure to maintain records in conformity with the state liquor code.
Megan’s Law arrest: Richard S. Bowlen, 52, of Fairchance, was arrested Saturday by California police after it was learned he allegedly failed to comply with registering under Megan’s Law. Police had responded to a domestic dispute at a home on Ventura Drive. Bowlen was arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson and released on $10,000 unsecured bond.
Teen missing: Melissa Ventura, 17, of 17 Strabane Ave., was reported missing Friday to Canonsburg police by her mother. She is white with blonde hair and a medium build. She was last seen wearing a camouflage jacket and backpack.
Pole hit: A truck driven by William Marauga, 50, of Dunbar, hit a utility pole on McBurney Road at Pike Street, bringing down high-tension lines and knocking out power in the area Friday afternoon, Canonsburg police said.
Burglary attempts alleged: Matthew James Price, 24, of 201 Dubrovich St., Washington Township, and Kelsey Rae Jeffries, 25, of Brightwell Drive, Fayette City, are charged by Charleroi Regional police with attempted burglary, conspiracy, theft, receiving stolen property, loitering and criminal mischief, court records show. Police accuse Jeffries of being a lookout while Price attempted to force open doors to Fourth Street Barbeque, 308 Fourth St., about 1:20 a.m. Dec. 14. The pair also attempted to steal an extension ladder from the business before they were scared off by a neighbor, police allege. District Judge Larry Hopkins issued warrants for their arrests Monday.
Prostitution charge: Sabrina Santoro, 26, of 1115 McKean Ave., Charleroi, is charged with promoting prostitution on a website over accusations she lured a man to her residence about 9:30 p.m. Dec. 20, court records show. District Judge Larry Hopkins issued the charge in a summons Monday.
Robbery attempt: Marvin Jordan, 40, of 936 Leeds Ave., Monessen, was arrested early Monday by Charleroi Regional police on a charge of attempted robbery after he allegedly tried to rob the Sunoco station on First Street. Police said a man, later identified by police as Jordan, entered the business wearing a mask. He went to the cashier area but was not able to get inside it. The clerk told police he then ran out of the door. She never saw a weapon, nor did the person take anything, police said. Jordan was arraigned before District Judge Gary Havelka and placed in Washington County Jail on $5,000 bond.
Assault arrest: Wayne S. Koman, 46, of 819 Crest Ave., Charleroi, was arrested Saturday by Charleroi Regional police on a charge of simple assault after he allegedly punched his girlfriend in the face. He was arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson and released on $10,000 unsecured bond.
Building hit: A vehicle struck the corner of Beechie’s, 400 Pike St., about 1 a.m. Sunday, Chartiers police said. The vehicle appeared to have been a black Ford Explorer with a silver roof rack.
Cables cut: An employee of Schott’s Equipment, Route 18, told Chartiers police Friday that cables were cut to batteries on eight tractors. The batteries were stacked in an apparent theft attempt.
Tampering alleged: Floyd L. Malarkey, 42, of 4 1/2 B Scott Drive, Ellsworth, was charged last week by state police with tampering with evidence after he allegedly threw out empty stamp bags and needles after police say his 31-year-old girlfriend apparently overdosed Dec. 31 at 31 S. Main St., Ellsworth. He is in Washington County Jail on a bench warrant. The charge will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Curtis Thompson.
Warrants served: Jessica Rose, 23, of 848 Donner Ave., Monessen, is charged by city police with giving law enforcement a false name and resisting arrest when an officer took her into custody on bench warrants in theft cases about 4:15 a.m. Monday at her residence, court records show. Rose is in Westmoreland County Jail on the warrants and will receive the new charges from District Judge Joseph Dalfonso.
Assault alleged: Joseph C. Douglas, 39, of 47 Matthews Road, Rostraver Township, is charged by city police with simple assault and disorderly conduct over allegations he struck James Snyder in the mouth about 11:15 a.m. Dec. 23 in the 500 block of Manown Street, court records show. District Judge Joseph Dalfonso issued the charges in a summons Thursday.
Drug charge: James R. Wergin, 39, of 1144 Dennis Ave., Monessen, is charged by city police with possessing several pieces of crack in the pocket of his pants when an officer approached him about 4 p.m. Jan. 3 at Sycamore Street and Athalia Avenue, court records show. District Judge Joseph Dalfonso issued the charge in a summons Friday.
Girlfriend arrested: Rebecca S. Woy, 35, of 810 Maple Ave., New Eagle, was arrested Sunday by Monongahela police on charges of simple assault, harassment and obstruction of justice after she allegedly assaulted her boyfriend during a confrontation at their home. She also is accused of lying to police by claiming he hit her. She was arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson and placed in Washington County Jail on $1,500 bond.
DUI alleged in crash: Kelley E. Shaw, 45, of Uniontown, was charged Thursday by state police with driving under the influence of alcohol and traffic violations stemming from a crash last month on Route 40 at Beatty Lane, North Bethlehem. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Curtis Thompson.
Charged in crash: Francis P. Frisina, 33, of 458 Main St., Millsboro, was charged Thursday by state police with unauthorized use of a vehicle, accidents involving injury while not licensed and traffic violations in connection with a Dec. 2 crash in the 2100 block of East National Pike. He and a passenger, a 32-year-old woman, were seriously injured and had to be flown to a Pittsburgh hospital. The charges were sent by summons from the office of District Judge Curtis Thompson.
Contraband, drug charges: Shawn Michael Lashinsky, 24, of Washington, was arraigned Monday before District Judge Jay Weller on charges of possession of contraband, possession of a controlled substance, unauthorized use of a vehicle, false identification to police and traffic violations after he was spotted early Sunday driving a vehicle without permission on DiCio Street, North Strabane police said. He allegedly gave police an incorrect name. Police said they checked his correct name and learned he was wanted on a probation warrant. Lashinsky was taken to Washington County Jail, and while he was being checked in, a corrections officer reportedly found him with suspected cocaine. Weller set his bond at $10,000.
Probation arrest: Mario Pellegrini, 24, of 220 DiCio St., was taken into custody Sunday night by North Strabane police on an adult probation violation. He also was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. He was placed in Washington County Jail on the probation violation.
Driver injured: Janice Blayney, 39, of 1691 E. Finley Road, Claysville, was injured Saturday afternoon when her vehicle and a vehicle driven by James Lapp, 51, of 1802 The Circle, Canton Township, collided at Weavertown Road and Queens Way. She told North Strabane police that she sneezed and when she looked up, she saw Lapp’s stopped vehicle and was not able to stop in time. She was taken to Canonsburg Hospital for treatment.
Drug charges: Jayne L. Fonner, 53, of 99 McKean Ave., Donora, is charged by township police with possessing a stamp bag of heroin and an Alprozolam pill, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence of a controlled substance, court records show. Police approached her vehicle about 4 p.m. Dec. 16 after receiving a report of a motorist driving erratically in a parking lot in the 100 block of Finley Road. District Judge Charles Christner issued the charges in a summons Thursday.
Theft alleged: Taylor Rajeen Harrison, 25, who is homeless, is charged by township police with theft and receiving stolen property over allegations she stole a television worth $400 from a room at Relax Inn, 833 Finley Road, about 11 a.m. Dec. 27 and later sold it to a pawn shop, court records show. District Judge Charles Christner issued a warrant for Harrison’s arrest Thursday.
DUI, traffic charges: Justin Pordash, 24, of 101 McCormick Ave., Bentleyville, was charged by state police with driving under the influence of a controlled substance and traffic violations stemming from a Nov. 24 incident at the intersection of McIlvaine and Carlton roads, Somerset. Police had been called for a report of a naked woman trying to get into a car. Pordash allegedly told police he had used “Molly,” also known as Ecstasy, earlier in the day. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Curtis Thompson.
Passenger injured: Olga Rivera, 53, of 139 N. Haft St., Houston, was injured Saturday afternoon when a vehicle driven by Felix Cruz, 53, also of 139 N. Haft, struck an embankment on Berry Road near Manifold Road and spun around, South Strabane police said. Rivera was taken to Canonsburg Hospital. Cruz will be cited with failure to drive at a safe speed.
Employee theft: South Strabane police were called last week to Taco Bell, 460 Washington Road, for a report of an employee stealing money from a cash drop box on Dec. 29. Police are investigating.
Package stolen: Jodi Uram of 558 Potomac Drive told South Strabane police Saturday that a package containing wireless headphones had been stolen after it was delivered to her home.
Theft, drug arrest: Ashley Angott, 25, of 865 Ewing St., Washington, was arrested Sunday by Washington police on a felony charge of retail theft and charges of possession of heroin and paraphernalia. Police were called to Shop ‘n Save, 125 W. Beau St., for a shoplifter. Police said they found Angott with the suspected drug. She was arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson and placed in Washington County Jail on $5,000 bond.
House burglarized: Matthew McKean of 113 Wasler Way told Washington police Sunday that he returned home to find his house had been burglarized and ransacked. The burglar reportedly broke a window in a back door to enter. Stolen from the home were a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, a pair of Ugg boots and a portable DVD player.
Tires slashed: Bernette Moore of 143 Church St. told Washington police Sunday that two tires were slashed on her vehicle.
Trespass, disorderly charges: Phillip F. Yagnich, 55, of 240 N. College St., Washington, was charged by Washington police with trespass and disorderly conduct after a disturbance Saturday at Safe Haven, 240 N. College.
Snowblower stolen: Antoinette Relich of 35 Leet St. told Washington police Friday that a Toro snowblower was stolen from her garage.
Assault charges: Tanner Mooney, 19, of 71 Second St., Lawrence, was charged Friday with sexual assault and indecent assault in connection with a Sept. 27 incident on West Walnut Street. According to Washington police, a Washington woman accused Mooney of having sexual relations with her without her consent. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.