Police Beat Oct. 30
BURGETTSTOWN
Theft charge: Robert Merle Amic Jr., 32, of 1201 Main St., Burgettstown, was charged last week by McDonald police with theft after he allegedly stole a generator that Burgettstown Borough officials placed at the intersection of Main and Market streets to run the traffic lights. The charge was sent by summons from the office of District Judge Gary Havelka.
CANTON
Two-vehicle crash: Vehicles driven by Jodi Smotisky of Washington and Michael Newman of Washington collided at 9:50 a.m. Thursday on Henderson Avenue at Oak Grove Road, state police said. The police report did not indicate if there were injuries.
Hit-and-run: William M. Scoumis, 26, of Aliquippa, told state police he was driving on Interstate 70 west just before 8 a.m. Thursday when a vehicle in the left lane tried to change lanes and hit his vehicle. The other vehicle left.
CECIL
Woman jailed: Arianna Marie Aitken, 26, of Irwin, is charged by Cecil Township police with simple assault, escape and possessing drug paraphernalia, court records show. She is accused of punching Adam Stammer in the right eye about 11 p.m. Friday at Hickory Grade and Cecil Henderson roads, and later attempting to wiggle out of handcuffs while in police custody. She is in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond set by District Judge Larry Hopkins.
Woman charged: Lisa Ann Mergerum, 47, of 170 Pike St., Chartiers Township, is charged by Cecil police with driving under the influence of alcohol and child endangerment, court records show. Police said the vehicle she was driving was stopped about 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Southpointe Boulevard and Morganza Road for suspicion of DUI while three children were passengers. She is free on $25,000 bond set by District Judge Larry Hopkins.
CHARLEROI
Resisting, disorderly arrest: Melissa Sue Reece, 39, of 306 Lincoln Ave., Charleroi, was arrested Sunday by Charleroi Regional police on charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and harassment after she allegedly punched another woman in the back during a confrontation at her home. When police arrived, they said they found Reece on the floor, slapping herself and screaming. She allegedly fought with police and ambulance personnel who arrived to treat her. Reece was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger and placed in Washington County jail on a $5,000 percentage bond.
MARIANNA
Charged in crash: State police Oct. 15 charged John Russell Flory, 21, of Fredericktown, with criminal mischief and driving under the influence after his vehicle allegedly hit the Lamp House Bar and left the scene Sept. 25.
NORTH FRANKLIN
Inn cited: The operator of Ramada Inn, 1170 W. Chestnut St., North Franklin, was cited earlier this month by the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement for allegedly furnishing alcohol to a minor after a 19-year-old was reportedly served an alcoholic beverage Sept. 7.
NORTH STRABANE
Assault, mischief arrest: Louis Joseph Fonagy III, 32, of 12 Circle Way, Lawrence, was arrested Sunday night by North Strabane police on charges of simple assault, harassment and criminal mischief. He is accused of threatening a 25-year-old Washington woman with a box cutter and dragging her out of her vehicle at the Park-N-Ride on Route 519. He also allegedly smashed her cellphone and took her vehicle key. She told police she had a spare key and was able to drive to the police station for help. He was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger and placed in Washington County jail on a $10,000 percentage bond.
SMITH
Charged in assault: Clifford Eugene Bennett Jr., 28, of 219 Charles St., Langeloth, was arrested Monday morning by Smith police on charges of simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment. He is accused of punching his girlfriend in the eye and trying to gouge her father’s eye and biting him during a confrontation. Bennett was arraigned before District Judge Gary Havelka and placed in Washington County jail on $10,000 bond.
SOUTH STRABANE
Assault reported: South Strabane police are investigating a confrontation between two women Friday outside Washington High School stadium, Humbert Lane and Tyler Avenue. The two reportedly got into an argument that turned physical. Police said charges of disorderly conduct and harassment are pending.
UNION
Woman jailed: Madison Lee Colucci, 21, of 411 Third Ave., New Eagle, is charged by Monongahela police with aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and criminal mischief, court records show. Colucci is accused of kicking officer David Marghella in the leg and chest and biting and scratching her brother, Trevor, about 2:25 a.m. Sunday in the 3000 block of Frye Avenue. She is in Washington County jail on $35,000 bond set by District Judge Larry Hopkins.
WASHINGTON
Drug arrest: Lance Antonio Rogers, 30, of 14 E. Prospect St., Washington, is charged by the Washington County drug task force with drug possession with intent to deliver, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of firearms as a convicted felon, court records show. Investigators said a search of his residence Friday produced 3 1/2 bricks of heroin and 11 firearms, which he is prohibited from having due to convictions of aggravated assault and robbery in Illinois. Rogers is free on $35,000 bond set by District Judge Larry Hopkins.
Assault arrest: Christopher Richards, 33, of 1230 Summerlea Ave., Washington, was arrested Saturday by Washington police on a charge of simple assault after he allegedly cut a 40-year-old man during a confrontation at the home they shared. Richards was arraigned before District Judge Larry Hopkins and released from Washington County jail after posting $25,000 bond.
Charged in assault: Maurice Lare Gardner Sr., 55, of 26 Gibson Ave., Washington, was charged Monday by Washington police with simple assault and harassment after he allegedly hit a 46-year-old Washington woman during an Oct. 8 confrontation at his home. The two reportedly got into an argument over Gardner’s relationship with his girlfriend, and he allegedly struck the 46-year-old woman in the cheek. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.
Drug charges: Adam Andrew Snatchko, 46, of 502 Giffin Ave., Canonsburg, was charged Monday by Washington police with possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia and resisting arrest stemming from an Oct. 4 incident in the 700 block of Baird Avenue. Snatchko allegedly ran from police when they tried to talk with him, and they said he had suspected heroin when he was caught. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.
Truck stolen: Guillermo Padilla of 960 1/2 Broad St. told Washington police Friday his red, 2010 Ford F-350 pickup truck was stolen from outside his home. He told police he was warming it up and left it running. The license plate is ZPV-4915.