Police Beat Oct. 23
Note: The PFA violation charge against Darrell Provance of Washington was later dismissed in Washington County Court.
CALIFORNIA
Assault alleged: Christine Lynn Tirpak, 56, of 69 Honor St., Long Branch, is charged by borough police with simple assault, theft, harassment, trespassing and criminal mischief, court records show. Police accuse her of breaking a rear window to the residence of David Siebart, 947 Wood St., and stealing a cellphone from his hands about 2:30 a.m. Saturday. She is free on $5,000 unsecured bond set by District Judge Mark Wilson.
CANONSBURG
Assault charges: Conner L. Beresh, 21, of 502 Franklin Ave., Canonsburg, will be charged by Canonsburg police with simple assault and harassment after he allegedly grabbed his 23-year-old girlfriend by the wrist and pushed her onto the floor during a confrontation Sunday at their home. He was gone when police arrived. Charges will be sent by summons.
Account accessed: Sara Hartley of Canonsburg told borough police Sunday that her bank account was accessed twice without her permission. She told police that $989.99 was withdrawn the first time and $689.99 was withdrawn the second time.
Vehicle damaged: Steven Kirby of 617 Highland Ave. told Canonsburg police Sunday that his pickup truck was damaged while it was parked outside his home.
Items stolen: Kate Hart of Ridge Avenue, Canonsburg, told Canonsburg police Saturday that tools and stocking stuffers were stolen from her vehicle while it was parked at Town View, 300 Barr St.
CECIL
House burglarized: Cecil police are investigating an Oct. 10 daylight burglary of a home in the 300 block of Georgetown Road, Lawrence. Police said the resident came home about 10:15 a.m. and discovered a door had been kicked in. Jewelry valued at more than $1,000 was reported stolen. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 724-743-0940.
ELLSWORTH
Charged in crash: State police reported a one-vehicle crash Oct. 8 on Beallsville Road near Old West Road. Police said the driver, Thomas W. Shumar, 67, of Ellsworth, was driving northbound when he fell asleep at the wheel and struck an embankment, then a house, at 472 Beallsville Road. Police said Shumar wasn’t injured. He was charged with driving under the influence.
INDEPENDENCE
Harassment charge: State police cited Kelly Layne Chacko, 39, of Washington, for harassment after she allegedly struck an 18-year-old woman in the head about 9 p.m. Wednesday at a residence at 11 Seneca Place.
MONESSEN
Pair charged: Tashayla M. Johnson, 30, and Daniel Edward Patterson, 33, both of 207 Park Manor Drive, Monessen, are charged by city police with resisting arrest, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct stemming from a fight at their residence about 9:15 p.m. Sunday, court records show. They are free on unsecured bonds set Monday.
NORTH FRANKLIN
Forgery, theft charges: Michael Wray Lank, 21, of 734 Mill St., Bridgeville, was charged Monday by state police with forgery and theft. He is accused of being one of two men to use a counterfeit $100 bill to buy two drinks at Charley’s, Washington Crown Center, North Franklin, on Sept. 29. The men received almost $95 in change. Police said Lank and the other man fled on foot, and they were able to identify Lank through a witness. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.
SOUTH STRABANE
Theft arrest: Brian J. Crowell, 43, of Pittsburgh, was arrested Friday night by South Strabane police on a felony retail theft charge after he allegedly stole items valued at $719.34 from Giant Eagle, Strabane Square. Police said he also was wanted on an Allegheny County bench warrant. He was arraigned before District Judge Mark Wilson, who set bond at $10,000.
Two face charges: Tenisha Gibson, 23, and Joy Parker, 27, both of Pittsburgh, will be charged by South Strabane police with retail theft and conspiracy. They are accused of stealing merchandise totaling $740.95 from Tommy Hilfiger, Gap Outlet, Old Navy, American Eagle and Hot Topics at Tanger Outlets on Saturday. Gibson also will be charged with corruption of minors for allegedly putting some of the item in the backpack of a boy who was with her. Parker also will be charged with possession of marijuana.
Driver faces charges: Shawn English, 54, of 1030 Allison Ave., Washington, faces a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol after crashing his vehicle into a utility pole on Wilbert Avenue at Concord Drive on Oct. 15, South Strabane police said. He refused to submit to a blood-alcohol test, police said. English was taken to Washington Hospital for treatment.
WASHINGTON
Charged in stop: Christopher James Wingfield, 18, of 108 1/2 W. Wylie Ave., Washington, was charged Monday by state police with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and a traffic violation stemming from a Sept. 11 traffic stop at the intersection of Bruce and Glenn streets, Washington. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.
Theft alleged: Melanie P. Riggans, 55, of 680 1/2 Fayette St., Washington, was charged Monday by Washington Health System police with theft after she allegedly entered a patient’s room in the outpatient observation unit and stole a purse. Police said Riggans is seen on surveillance entering the room several times. The purse was found hidden under a recliner, but the wallet containing credit cards and other items was stolen. The charge will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.
Former employee charged: Fabian M. Martinez, 50, of 645 E. Maiden St., Washington, was charged Friday by Washington police with two counts of theft. He is accused of stealing a $562.85 bank deposit on Oct. 5 and a $349.49 deposit on Oct. 9. He was to deposit the money at a bank for Mr. Tire Automotive Center, 87 W. Chestnut St. The bank had no record of the deposits, police said. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.
Felony theft charge: Samantha Rae Thomas, 26, of 293 McClay Road, Washington, was charged Monday by Washington police with felony retail theft after she allegedly stole an item from Shop ‘n Save, 125 W. Beau St., on Oct. 9. The charge will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.
Order violation alleged: Darrell Provance, 59, of 424 Burton Ave., Washington, was charged Monday by Washington police with violating a protection-from-abuse order signed in July by Judge Brandon Neuman. He is accused of sending text messages to his estranged wife and her friends on Oct. 16, in violation of the order. The charge will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.
Woman struck: Evelyn Brandenburg, 89, of Avella, was injured Sunday afternoon when she was struck by a vehicle backing out of a space at Dairy Queen, 99 E. Wylie Ave. The driver reportedly helped her into her son’s vehicle and left. Her son took Brandenburg to Washington Hospital for treatment. Police are continuing their investigation, and charges are pending against the driver.
Cellphone stolen: Kellie Gillespie of 33 1/2 Leet St. told Washington police Sunday that her cellphone was stolen from her home.
Boys to be charged: Two Washington boys, ages 6 and 14, will be charged by Washington police with retail theft after they allegedly stole two alcoholic beverages Saturday from GetGo, East Wylie Avenue.
Windows broken: Dale Smail of 1155 Sycamore St. told Washington police Friday that vandals used pieces of asphalt to break several windows on his garage. The asphalt also damaged a vehicle parked inside the garage.
WEST FINLEY
Theft: State police reported that Wednesday night or Thursday, someone stole batteries from an excavator, a utility light and base station belonging to 18 Karat Inc. of Eighty Four, from a property at 84 Jackson Road.