Ohio suspect to face trial in escape
The attorney for the former Canonsburg woman who escaped from the custody of a Washington County sheriff’s deputy while at Washington Hospital last month and then fled to Ohio in a stolen vehicle blames her actions on heroin addiction.
Angela Marie Lucci 24, of Steubenville, Ohio, waived charges of escape, burglary, theft and theft of a motor vehicle Wednesday before District Judge Robert Redlinger.
Lucci was taken into custody near Steubenville by Jefferson County, Ohio, sheriff’s deputies on June 11, about five hours after she escaped from custody. About 45 minutes after her 5:30 a.m. escape, Washington police said Lucci broke into a house on Wilson Avenue, stole car keys and a wallet and then stole a 2009 black Honda Accord that she reportedly used to drive to Ohio.
Washington County Sheriff Sam Romano said Lucci was under observation at the hospital for a head or leg injury when she escaped. She asked to use the restroom and managed to slip out of leg shackles, Romano said. The 25-year veteran deputy who was guarding Lucci, Joseph Ralph Ruscello, was suspended without pay pending an investigation. When she was taken into custody in Ohio, among the items Lucci had in her possession were Ruscello’s keys, including one to the shackles she had been was wearing.
Lucci was arrested June 9 by Canonsburg police on charges of forgery, receiving stolen property, access device fraud and conspiracy after she and another woman allegedly used credit cards that had been stolen from a borough home on May 17 at several stores. When borough police took Lucci into custody, they found her with a stamp bag of suspected heroin, Suboxone and paraphernalia and later filed drug charges against her. She waived the Canonsburg charges to court last week.
“She is a very likable person who unfortunately has a heroin addiction,” said defense attorney Noah Geary, moments after Lucci waived the charges. “She has no prior record, but is hooked on heroin. She is very remorseful and hopeful to get treatment.”
Geary said that he knows the deputy involved and said he has done an excellent job during his career with the sheriff’s office.
“She feels very bad because he is a great guy,” Geary said.
Lucci remains in Washington County jail on $80,000 bond. She is to be formally arraigned on the escape and burglary charges Sept. 1.