Police Beat Aug. 4
False return: Stephen Moskal of Canonsburg told borough police Wednesday that he learned a tax return was falsely filed with the Internal Revenue Service using his and his wife’s personal information. The IRS told him to report it to local police.
Tools stolen: Tools including drills, chargers, a Sawzal, hammers and batteries were reported stolen Wednesday from an unlocked van owned by McMurray Heating and Cooling, 33 S. Central Ave., Canonsburg police said.
Woman jailed: Brandy Leigh Bujanowski, 21, of 1008 Upper Crest Ave., Charleroi, is charged by Charleroi Regional police with possessing heroin paraphernalia during a traffic stop about 3:45 p.m. Monday at Ninth Street and Prospect Avenue, court records show. She is in Washington County jail on a Westmoreland County bench warrant and $5,000 bond set Tuesday by District Judge Larry Hopkins.
Man charged: Joseph Pager, 48, of 405 Scott Ave., Monessen, is charged by Charleroi Regional police with harassment over allegations he posted lewd remarks about someone on social media about 7 a.m. July 26, court records show. District Judge Larry Hopkins issued the case via summons Wednesday.
Theft alleged: David E. Miller, 41, of 456 Middle St., West Brownsville, is charged by Roscoe, Elco, Stockdale and Allenport Regional police with theft over allegations he accepted $300 for a construction project about 5 p.m. July 14 from a resident in the 200 block of Cleveland Street and never performed the work, court records show. District Judge Larry Hopkins issued the charge in a summons Tuesday.
DUI, underage charges: Allen Lugo, 20, of 63 Bavington Road, Burgettstown, will be charged by McDonald police with driving under the influence of alcohol and underage drinking stemming from an incident July 30 in the 200 block of Foley Road, Robinson, when he allegedly was found passed out behind the wheel of the vehicle that was still in drive. Police said he refused to submit to a blood-alcohol test. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Traci McDonald.
Theft, receiving charges: Mark D. Hatfield Jr., 35, who police said is homeless, was arraigned Wednesday on a warrant obtained by state police charging him with 23 counts each of theft and receiving stolen property and 25 counts of theft by deception. He is accused of stealing an X-box game player, 20 games and two cellphones from a home at 2330 S Bridge Road, South Franklin, in May and June. He was arraigned before District Judge David Mark and placed in Washington County jail on $50,000 bond.
Rape alleged: Mario Columna, 26, whose address is unknown, is wanted by city police on charges of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault, court records show. Police accuse Columna of forcing a girl to have sex with him at a residence in the 900 block of Arch Street about 1:30 a.m. July 22. District Judge Ethan Ward signed a warrant for Columna’s arrest Monday.
Theft arrest: Michael Alan Carothers, 43, of 360 Duncan Ave., Washington, was arrested Wednesday by Washington police on a charge of felony retail theft and theft for allegedly stealing meat from Shop ‘n Save, 125 W. Beau St., Tuesday and then returning to steal six steaks oWednesday. He also is wanted in Beaver County, police said. He was arraigned before District Judge David Mark and placed in Washington County jail on $10,000 bond.
Window broken: Margretta Sadler of 360 E. Hallam Ave. told Washington police Wednesday the front door window of her home was broken by a vandal.
Truck damaged: Rue Strohecker Jr. of 816 Jefferson Ave. told Washington police Wednesday his pickup truck was damaged while parked outside his home.
Car stolen: Derrick Gladmon of 508 E. Wheeling St. told Washington police Wednesday his 2009 silver Hyundai Sonata was stolen from outside his home. He told police the keys might have been in the car. The license plate is KFH-3220.
Harassment charge: Jeremy McClain, 28, of North Franklin Street, was charged by Washington police with harassment after he allegedly pushed Tawanna Fields during a confrontation at her home Wednesday.
Probation violation alleged: William Lowe, 36, of 873 N. Main St., Washington, was placed in Washington County jail Monday on a probation violation after Washington police were called to his home. Police plan to charge him with possession of paraphernalia after allegedly finding a syringe and crack pipe in his home while taking him into custody.
Woman scammed: Pamela Linhart told Washington police Monday she paid two men to do work at her Summerlea Avenue home. She said the work was not done, and her money was not returned. Police are investigating.
Thefts alleged: Andrew Duane Elliot, 20, of 111 White St., Bentleyville, and Mathew Joseph Burrows, 21, of 45 Central Ave., and Waylon Cole Muniz, 23, of 201 Meadow Alley, both of West Bethlehem Township, are charged by state police with theft and receiving stolen property, court records show. Police accuse them of stealing a video gaming system and three games about 6 a.m. June 18 from Spencer Jenkins of 231 Jefferson Ave., and later trading them for $97 at a video gaming store. District Judge Curtis Thompson issued the cases by summons Tuesday.
Greene County
Charged in chase: Michael Edward Phillips, 28, of 1549 Lantz St., Waynesburg, was charged by Waynesburg police with fleeing an officer and 17 summary traffic violations after a police police chase in the borough Tuesday night. Police responded around 8:30 p.m. to the report of an erratic driver. Police said when they activated their lights and sirens and followed Phillips down North Wood Street, he ran a stop sign and sped up to the point that his vehicle was airborne at the intersection with East South Street. Police said Phillips ran multiple stop signals before reaching close to 90 mph heading south on Morgan Street. Because of concern for public safety, police stopped their pursuit just before Brickyard Hollow Road but continued to travel in that direction at a safe speed. State police joined the search and found Phillips just after 9 p.m. on Route 19, standing with a passenger outside his car. When police approached, they said Phillips got back in the car and sped off, but police detained the passenger, who reportedly told police he had been “scared that they were going to die” when he was in the car with Phillips.