Police beat March 15
DONEGAL
Assault alleged: Andrew Tyler Melton, 32, of Donegal Township, was charged Thursday by Donegal Township police with strangulation and simple assault. According to the criminal complaint, at about 6:30 p.m. police were called to Melton’s home in the 10 block of Jansen Road. Christine Citerella told police that was asleep and woke up to Melton strangling her. District Judge Louis McQuillan sent Melton to the Washington County jail on $100,000 bond.
NORTH STRABANE
DUI crash: Kristopher Brown, 35, of Donora, was charged Thursday by North Strabane Township police with driving under the influence, endangering the welfare of children and reckless endangerment. According to the criminal complaint, Brown was the driver of a vehicle involved in a head-on collision that occurred just before 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at the intersection of Racetrack Road and Meadows Drive. A witness told investigators that Brown was driving west on Racetrack Road and ran a red light. Court records state there was a juvenile in the backseat of Brown’s vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle was trapped in his car and complained of neck pain. According to the complaint, a breathalyzer test showed that Brown’s blood-alcohol content was 0.140%, beyond the legal limit of 0.08%. Brown has not been arraigned on the charges.
WASHINGTON
Assault alleged: David Taylor, 42, was charged Thursday by Washington police with aggravated assault, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, simple assault and trespassing. Court documents state Taylor is homeless. According to the criminal complaint, shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday, police were called to a home in the 700 block of West Chestnut Street. Eric Dillie told police he had allowed Taylor to come inside and sleep, but that he refused to leave. According to court documents, after Dillie called 911, Taylor grabbed a knife from the kitchen sink and attempted to slash Dillie. The complaint states that after police arrested Taylor they searched a bag in his possession and found two “golf ball sized” baggies of suspected crack cocaine. District Judge Louis McQuillan sent Taylor to the Washington County jail without bond.