Dec 18, 2012 9 min read

Mother charged: Jillian Renee Burt, 34, of 77 Lynwood Drive, Buffalo, was charged by state police with endangering the welfare of children and possession of drugs not prescribed to her after she allegedly overdosed on a narcotic painkiller while caring for her 11-month-old daughter. State police were called to the Washington Hospital emergency room Nov. 11 for a reported overdose. The woman’s husband reportedly told police he was at work when his wife called him to say she had taken 40 Tramadol pills. He also gave police another name for an insomnia drug that was not prescribed for her. The charges were sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

Charged in crash: Daniel J. Cortese, 37, of Monessen, was charged Tuesday by state police in connection with an Aug. 5 crash on Interstate 70 eastbound, west of the Taylorstown exit. Cortese crashed his motorcycle on the highway, hitting a sign. He was taken to UPMC-Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment. Charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and several traffic violations were filed at the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

DUI, speeding charges: Illes Brennan Williams, 33, of Bridgeport, W.Va., was charged by state police with driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and several other traffic violations after he reportedly was seen Nov. 10 driving erratically at 100 mph on Interstate 70 westbound near the Taylorstown exit. The charges were sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

Father charged: Earl Gaito Jr., 36, of 604 Fallowfield Ave., Charleroi, was arrested Monday by Charleroi Regional police after he allegedly threatened three Washington County Children and Youth Services workers who had come to take his 3-week-old daughter. The workers were taking the girl from Gaito and Brandy Gaito. Police said Earl Gaito reportedly became belligerent and ran in front of the car containing the workers and his daughter, causing the driver to slam on the brakes. Gaito was arraigned before District Judge Mark Wilson on charges of terroristic threats and reckless endangerment. He was placed in the Washington County jail on $10,000 bond.

Woman assaulted: Samuel R. Ross, 33, of 812 Shady Ave., Charleroi, was arrested early Sunday by Charleroi Regional police for allegedly throwing Ashley Rager to the sidewalk outside his home and punching her in the face. She was taken to Monongahela Valley Hospital for treatment. Ross was arraigned before District Judge Mark Wilson on charges of simple assault, disorderly conduct, harassment and public drunkenness. He was placed in the Washington County jail on $5,000 bond.

Arrested during stop: John Kennedy Jr., 19, of Monessen, was arrested Saturday by Charleroi Regional police after he allegedly was found with a loaded, .22-caliber revolver during a traffic stop in the 600 block of Lincoln Avenue. The gun was thrown out of the car during the stop. Kennedy also was found with suspected crack and marijuana in a bag, police said. He was arraigned before District Judge Mark Wilson on charges of carrying a firearm without a license, tampering with evidence and possession of crack, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was placed in the Washington County jail on $25,000 bond.

Illegal transport of gas: Louis Banks Jr., 24, of Aliquippa was charged Tuesday by state police with violating the Combustible and Flammable Liquids Act. He is accused of transporting gasoline in clear plastic jugs in his vehicle on Interstate 70 east near the West Alexander exit Dec. 11.

Bar cited: The operator of Riviera Restaurant and Lounge, Route 88, was cited by the state police Bureau of Liquor Control for playing music outside on a loudspeaker Sept. 1.

Charged in crash: Kathleen Susan Mayher, 27, of Uniontown, was charged by state police with DUI, driving with a suspended license and other violations stemming from a crash Saturday on S Bridge Road at Craft Creek Road. Police said her vehicle went off the road and into a field. She refused to submit to a blood-alcohol test. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

Lewdness charge: Daniel Rupert, 54, of Clearwater, Fla., was arrested early Saturday by state police at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino for allegedly exposing himself to a woman on the gaming floor. While in custody, he also allegedly screamed threats at a man and banged his hands on the wall of a casino office. Rupert was arraigned before District Judge Mark Wilson on charges of open lewdness, public drunkenness, indecent exposure and disorderly conduct. He was placed in the Washington County jail on $10,000 bond.

Driver charged: Michael J. Traficante, 46, of 116 Hoover Lane, McMurray, was charged by North Strabane police with leaving the scene of an accident, failure to render aid and traffic violations stemming from an Oct. 28 hit-and-run crash on Route 19 near Weavertown Road. Police said he was driving erratically when he hit another vehicle, forcing it into the median. He then abandoned his vehicle and fled, police said. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Appliances stolen: Three kitchen appliances were stolen from a house under construction on McIntosh Drive before 7:55 a.m. Saturday, township police said. A microwave oven, a stovetop range and a dishwasher were removed, police said. There was forced entry. The appliances, valued at $1,385, are owned by Ryan Homes.

DUI charge: David B. Crompton, 57, of 181 Mounts Road, Buffalo, was charged by state police with DUI and driving with an expired license after he was seen driving away from his home Dec. 12. Police said his license expired in 2009. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

Woman injured: Kathy Campbell, 59, of 48 Prigg Road, Washington, was injured Saturday when her vehicle ran into the rear of a vehicle driven by Cindy Minock, 50, of 3034 Bedillion Road, Washington, on Route 19 at Manifold Road, South Strabane police said.

Minor injury: Robert Caldwell III, 47, of Murphy Drive, Washington, was slightly injured Sunday afternoon when his vehicle was hit from behind by a vehicle driven by Sarah Varner, 28, of 43 1/2 Manse St., Washington, on East Beau Street at Lakeview Drive, South Strabane police said.

Women charged: Tiffany Yvonne Mack, 40, of 6084 Springhouse Place, Bridgeville, and Shannon R. Bulzese, 33, of Pittsburgh, were charged by South Strabane police after they allegedly stole items from Walmart, Trinity Point, Nov. 23. The two are accused of hiding merchandise in boxes of items they purchased. Charges of retail theft and criminal conspiracy will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Man charged: Dillon C. Fritz, 19, of 3124 Ridgeway Drive, South Park, was charged by South Strabane police with possession of MDMA and speeding stemming from a Sept. 28 traffic stop on Route 19 at Davis School Road. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Theft, drug charges: Karena V. Bell, 22, of 630 First St., Donora, was charged by South Strabane police with retail theft and possession of drugs. Police say she was found with suspected painkillers when she was caught stealing an item from Gabriel Brothers, Northgate Plaza, Nov. 6. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

False ID charge: Dylan Huseman, 21, of 2273 Belmont Ave., Washington, was charged by South Strabane police with giving false identification after allegedly giving an incorrect name during a Dec. 8 traffic stop. The charge will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Two charged: David Patrick Panzone, 26, of 252 California Road, Brownsville, and Patrick R. Marinelli, 26, of 312 Reliance Ave., Brownsville, were charged by South Strabane police with retail theft and conspiracy. The two are accused of taking cable from Walmart, Trinity Point, Nov. 27. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

DUI wreck: Cinnamon Jenkins, 36, of 121 Hall Ave. was charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident that occurred Nov. 22. Police said that morning they followed a fluid trail from a vehicle that struck a parked van at 52 W. Walnut St. The trail followed North Main Street to West Chestnut Street, and North Franklin Street to Hall Avenue. There, police said, they found Jenkins’ vehicle with damage consistent with striking the van. Police said Jenkins came out of her house smelling strongly of alcohol, and her blood-alcohol content was 0.227 percent. The charges were filed Tuesday with District Judge Robert Redlinger.

Assault charges: Steve Fallet, 43, of 350 Duncan Ave. Apt. 3, faces charges of simple assault and harassment after he allegedly struck two people Nov. 29. Police said Megan Liposcwak of Washington was dropping off a friend when Fallet began arguing with her and then kicked her vehicle, putting a large dent in it. When Liposcwak yelled at Fallet for the damage, he allegedly punched her in the face three times. John Shadek of Washington tried to stop the fight and was slapped in the head three times by Fallet, police said.

Drug charges: Leslie Anne Dixon, 35, of 31 E. Hallam Ave. and Marie G. Conklin, 36, of 440 Broad St. Apt. 2, were charged with possession of cocaine Tuesday. Police said they observed the two exit a car on Hall Avenue July 11 and said Conklin placed something on the ground in front of the car before they began walking up the street. Police discovered a knotted bag that tested positive for cocaine where the women had been standing. Each woman claimed the drugs belonged to the other. Police also charged Conklin with public intoxication. The charges were filed with District Judge Robert Redlinger.

Vehicle vandalism: Bryan Thomas of 548 Fayette St. reported to police that a window on his vehicle was broken after 3 a.m. and before 9:20 a.m. Monday.

Drug charges: Hope Adams, 43, of 230 Shirls Ave., faces charges of drug possession after police said they found 151 stamp bags of heroin in a McDonald’s Big Mac container inside her car Monday night. Police say Adams gave consent to have her vehicle searched after they stopped her car at Duncan and Hall avenues shortly after 8 p.m. In addition to the stamp bags in the fast food container, police said Adams had 25 stamp bags in a pocket of her jeans.