Police Beat Sept. 25
CALIFORNIA
Hindering, tampering charges: Tafari Ryan, 23, of 514 Fifth St., California, was arrested early Saturday by California police after he allegedly tried to ingest cocaine to destroy evidence during a traffic stop on Spear Street. Police said they also found him with suspected marijuana. Ryan was arraigned before District Judge Jesse Pettit on charges of hindering apprehension, resisting arrest, tampering with evidence and possession of cocaine and marijuana. He was released from Washington County Jail after posting a $10,000 percentage bond.
CANONSBURG
Loitering alleged: Johnathon D. Williams, 26, of 509 Elm St., Canonsburg, was charged Monday by Canonsburg police with loitering and prowling at night, criminal trespass and public drunkenness after he allegedly was found on the roof of a home in the 200 block of Hutchison Avenue on Sept. 4. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge David Mark.
Window damaged: Laura Ann Schwimmer, 35, of 208 Quail Run Road, Venetia, was charged Monday with criminal mischief after she allegedly damaged a window of a vehicle owned by a Canonsburg woman while the vehicle was parked in the 300 block of Grace Avenue Aug. 24. The charges were sent by summons from the office of District Judge David Mark.
CANTON
Minor injury: Jarrod D. Colbert, 40, of Bentleyville, suffered a minor injury when his car hit the rear of a van on Interstate 70 east shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday, state police said. The impact sent the van, driven by Anthony DePaoli, 44, of Wilmerding, into a concrete barrier and guardrail before it stopped in the median. Colbert’s vehicle spun and struck a concrete barrier. DePaoli and a passenger in the van were not injured, police said.
CECIL
Girlfriend arrested: Erika Lynn Valentine, 32, of 217 County Line Road, Cecil, was arrested early Sunday by Cecil police after she allegedly punched her boyfriend in the mouth during a confrontation at their home. She was arraigned before District Judge Jesse Pettit on charges of simple assault and harassment. Valentine was released on $5,000 unsecured bond.
HOUSTON
Firearms violation alleged: Brandon Trent, 25, of 305 Patsch St., Houston, was taken into custody Saturday on a warrant obtained by McKeesport police on charges of illegal sale of a firearm and unsworn falsification. He is accused of submitting incorrect information at a gun store in McKeesport on April 5. He was arraigned before District Judge Jesse Pettit and placed in Washington County Jail. He was later released to Allegheny County officials. He was then arraigned in that county and released.
MONESSEN
Man jailed: James Donaldson, 29, of 650 Braddock Ave., Monessen, is charged by city police with possessing eight stamp bags of heroin when an officer approached him about 1:45 p.m. Sept. 18 in the 600 block of Knox Avenue, court records show. Donaldson was placed in Westmoreland County Jail on $5,000 bond set Sunday by District Judge Michael R. Mahady.
NORTH STRABANE
Arrested in assault: Kristen Leigh Flaherty, 46, of 3998 Millers Run Road, McDonald, was arrested Friday by North Strabane police on charges of aggravated assault, strangulation and harassment after she allegedly choked her boyfriend and punched him in the face during a confrontation at his Royal Drive home. She was arraigned before District Judge Jesse Pettit and placed in Washington County Jail on a $15,000 percentage bond.
Assault arrest: Devante Lemont Brooks, 26, of 23 Circle Road, Daisytown, was taken into custody Saturday on a warrant obtained by North Strabane police charging him with simple assault, theft and harassment. He is accused of assaulting his girlfriend at an apartment on Burkett Lane and stealing her vehicle. He was arraigned before District Judge Jesse Pettit and placed in Washington County Jail on a $15,000 percentage bond.
DUI, assault charges: Katherine Marie Majkowski of 1040 Michigan Ave., Washington, was arrested Saturday night by state police after troopers were called to a domestic dispute on the entrance ramp to Interstate 79 southbound at the Racetrack Road interchange, North Strabane. Her husband told police that she assaulted him while the two were in a vehicle on the ramp. He told police that she was angry because they had to leave the Meadows Casino. The husband said she grabbed the steering wheel of the vehicle and jerked it, causing the vehicle to hit a guardrail. Majkowski was arraigned before District Judge Jesse Pettit on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, simple assault, reckless endangerment, harassment and several traffic violations. She was released on $5,000 unsecured bond.
SOUTH STRABANE
Threats alleged: Samual Valperga, 62, of Migyanko Lane, was arrested Sunday by South Strabane police on charges of terroristic threats, possession of marijuana and reckless endangerment after he allegedly threatened a neighbor with a rifle. He was arraigned before District Judge Traci McDonald and released on $10,000 unsecured bond.
WASHINGTON
Assault alleged: Johnny Grubbs, 25, of 996 Jefferson Ave., Washington, was arrested Saturday by Washington police on charges of simple assault, endangering the welfare of children and strangulation. He is accused of choking his girlfriend at a home at 1125 Jefferson Ave., When her 9-year-old daughter tried to help, Grubbs allegedly pulled the girl’s hair. He was arraigned before District Judge Jesse Pettit and placed in Washington County Jail on $15,000 bond.
Medication stolen: Todd Bowden of 161 S. Main St. told Washington police Sunday that his prescription medication was stolen from his residence.
Fugitive arrested: Pietro Pedone, 32, of 13 Euclid Ave., Washington, was taken into custody Sunday as a fugitive from justice after a traffic stop in the 400 block of West Chestnut Street. Washington police said he is wanted on warrants in Nevada, Nebraska and Maryland. The vehicle he was driving had been reported stolen in Nevada. He was arraigned before District Judge Traci McDonald as a fugitive and placed in Washington County Jail without bond, pending extradition.
Parole violation alleged: Laura Vincenti, 43, of 166 S. Wade Ave., Washington, was taken into custody Sunday on a parole violation after she allegedly was seen entering vehicles in the 700 block of Fayette Street, Washington sdpolice said. She was placed in Washington County Jail on a probation violation. Police plan to file theft charges.
Wallet stolen: Brandy McManus of Washington told Washington police Sunday that her wallet containing $1,800 was stolen while she was at 50-Yard Line, 125 Henderson Ave.
Scam reported: A 73-year-old Washington woman told Washington police over the weekend that she was conned out of $770 by a company after a notice popped up on her computer screen that said she needed to send a check for repairs to her computer. The company then claimed to need more money. Police told her not to respond if it happens again.
Bicycle stolen: Alex Roex of Ford Avenue told Washington police Friday that his Mongoose mountain bicycle was stolen from his porch.
Tires slashed: Michelle Yandell told Washington police Friday that two tires on her vehicle were slashed while it was parked in the 100 block of Woodland Avenue.