Jan 3, 2013 8 min read

Arrested in threat: Jason Andrew Barney, 34, of 2 Scott Road, Amwell, was arrested Wednesday afternoon by state police for allegedly pointing a gun at his estranged wife, Victoria Barney, and threatening to shoot her during a confrontation at the home they once shared. He also is accused of grabbing her and trying to take a cellphone from her. He reportedly took the phone and broke it. Barney was arraigned before District Judge Jay Weller on charges of terroristic threats, criminal mischief and harassment. He was released with orders to have no contact with his wife.

Driver charged: William E. Lowe, 32, of 372 Cunningham Road, Claysville, was charged Monday by state police with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence of drugs and several traffic violations stemming from a Dec. 3 incident on Interstate 70 westbound near the Taylorstown exit, Buffalo. State police had received numerous reports of an erratic driver, including at least one caller indicating the vehicle had hit a Jersey barrier. Police stopped the vehicle driven by Lowe. After he was taken to the barracks, Lowe reportedly asked police to check the vehicle for his cellphone. State police said that when the trooper checked, he found an empty stamp bag of suspected heroin. Police said they impounded the car and obtained a search warrant, which led to the discovery of a syringe, more empty stamp bags and stamp bags containing heroin. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

Unauthorized use: Marci Lynn Gossic, 38, of 297 E. Buffalo Church Road, Buffalo, was charged Monday by state police with unauthorized use of a vehicle after allegedly taking her mother’s car without permission Dec. 14. The charge will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

Theft from home: Police are looking for a man who entered a home at 5 Hillcrest Ave. New Year’s Eve and made off with a pistol and several pieces of jewelry. State police in Washington said Marlo Youschak returned home shortly after 5 p.m. to find the man in her kitchen. He escaped with the items. Police said he is white, in his 20s and was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. The investigation is continuing.

Teens assaulted: Canonsburg police are investigating an assault on two boys, a 16-year-old from Cecil Township and a 17-year-old from Canonsburg. The teens told police they were at Canonsburg Town Park about 4:20 p.m. Wednesday when they were jumped by four teenage boys. The 17-year-old told police that he and one of his attackers were involved with the same girl. Police said the older boy had scratches on the right side of his face, while the other boy had a bruised arm and swollen lip. They were treated at the scene by Canonsburg ambulance personnel. The boys were able to identify their attackers.

Bar cited: The operators of Big Fellas Pizza, Deli and Wing Co., 45-47 E. Pike St., Canonsburg, were cited by the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement for allegedly selling or furnishing liquor for off-premises consumption Sept. 14.

Man robbed, assaulted: Martin A. Williamson, 22, of Washington, told state police that he was robbed at gunpoint and then assaulted about 10:50 p.m. Wednesday at Marra Avenue and Ford Street, Canton. Williams told police that he was being held in the rear of a vehicle by two men and a woman. He was able to provide police with a name of one of the robbers. One held a gun and ordered Williamson to give him all his “stuff.” Williamson told police they stole $180, two $50 gift cards and a cellphone. The two men then pulled Williamson out of the vehicle and hit and kicked him several times.

Fingerprints lead to charges: Joshua W. Skirble, 20, of 114 Lincoln St., Cokeburg, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of burglary, criminal trespass and theft after fingerprints identified him as the person who entered the Canton home of Colleen Carlson on three occasions in January through March 2011. Carlson told police that during one visit, the intruder ate a submarine sandwich and drank a soft drink. Fingerprints were sent to the state police crime lab, and Skirble was identified as the suspect. Skirble was arraigned before District Judge David Mark and released on $10,000 unsecured bond.

Charged in wreck: Melvin T. Threets of Bellaire, Ohio, was charged by state police with driving under the influence of alcohol and several traffic violations after his vehicle went off Interstate 70 eastbound near the Claysville exit, Donegal, and traveled into a snow-covered field near the highway Monday. Police said his blood-alcohol content was almost double the 0.08 percent limit presumed for intoxication. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

Coins stolen: William L. Strawn, 49, of 140 S. Johnson Road, Houston, was charged Monday with theft by state police for allegedly stealing a jar containing $168 in coins from his sister, Cara Ann Strawn. The money was stolen Jan. 10, 2012, from her home at 989 Old Brick Road, Donegal. The charge will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

Driver charged: Antonio A. Gentile, 34, of 334 Sawhill Road, Claysville, was charged by state police with DUI, having an open container of alcohol and several traffic violations after his vehicle was found crashed in a ditch in front of 567 Valley View Road, East Finley. Police said he was sleeping with his head on the passenger seat, and officers had difficulty waking him. Troopers said they also found an open can of beer in the cup holder. Gentile’s BAC was almost three times the 0.08 percent limit presumed for intoxication. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

Clothing, jewelry stolen: Allison Weber of Reader, W.Va., told North Strabane police Wednesday that clothing and jewelry were stolen from her unlocked car while it was parked at 1046 Royal Drive.

Charged in assault: Leymone Everett Bush, 24, of 459 Addison Ave., Washington, was charged last week with simple assault and harassment for allegedly hitting Chelsea Gauthier of Mt. Lebanon during a Dec. 23 confrontation at a convenience store on Racetrack Road, North Strabane police said. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Altered documents: Police stopped a vehicle on Valley Brook Road at 11:32 a.m. Wednesday and discovered stickers on the vehicle had been altered, township police said. The young driver’s father, Genio Summaria of 147 Lindenwood Road, arrived at the scene and admitted to altering the stickers, police said. Charges will be filed.

Attempted theft: Police on routine patrol on Oak Ridge Road at 9:30 p.m. Monday noticed a truck parked on the side of the road and saw a man running from a nearby trailer to the truck, township police said. Police discovered an attempt to steal a generator that was chained near the trailer and partiallly buried, police said. Two men, one from Oak Ridge Road and the other from McDonald, will be charged with criminal attempt to commit theft. Police said the men claimed to be chasing a buck. Police did not release the men’s names.

Pair charged in burglary: Aundrea Lynn Harter, 21, and Nathan A. Chaney, 27, both of 321 Sunset Boulevard, South Strabane, were charged last week by South Strabane police with burglary, criminal trespass and theft. The two are accused of using a stolen master key to unlock a door to an employee linen closet at Courtyard by Marriott, Tanger Boulevard, Nov. 23. A front-desk clerk who went to the closet to get a blanket reportedly saw them steal a 42-inch flat-screen television and two fleece blankets. Police said Chaney had been employed at the motel at the time of the theft, while Harter is a former employee. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Man charged: Ian Pace, 22, of Braddock, was charged last week by South Strabane police with false reports to police, false identification, driving with a suspended license and having no insurance stemming from an Aug. 31 traffic stop on North Main Street at Humbert Lane. During the stop, police said he identified himself as Lafon Pace.

Man charged: Larry Kevin Kirkland was charged with simple assault and harassment following a dispute at the Keystone Club, 217 S. Main St., at 10:22 p.m. Wednesday, according to an affidavit filed in the office of District Judge James Ellis. Kirkland, of 800 E. Beau St., was charged after city police said he forced Amy Kirkland out of the club, pushed her against the door and kicked her in the chest, causing her to strike a brick wall and fall to the ground. He was arraigned before Ellis and was released on his own recognizance.