Aug 12, 2013 12 min read

DUI arrest: Douglas E. Weighley, 35, of 62 E. Elm St., Waynesburg, was charged Friday by state police with driving under the influence of alcohol, careless driving and other violations after police say he was found passed out in his vehicle, which had crashed into a guardrail on Interstate 79 southbound at the Lone Pine exit, Amwell. Police said that when officers arrived, his head was resting on the passenger seat. Police said his blood-alcohol content was more than three times the 0.08 percent limit presumed for intoxication. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

DUI, other charges: James Sealy, 52, of California, will be charged by borough police with DUI and traffic violations stemming from a one-vehicle crash Wednesday on Third Street Extension near Malden Road. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Joshua Kanalis.

Threat charge: Daniel W. Buretz, 53, of 14 E. Water St., Canonsburg, was arrested early Sunday by Canonsburg police after he allegedly threatened his neighbor, Andrew A. Bonus, 28, also of 14 E. Water, with a knife. Bonus told police he went to Buretz’s apartment to asked him to turn down the music. Buretz, who was reportedly intoxicated, allegedly came toward Bonus with a knife. He then went to Bonus’ apartment and wedged the knife into the doorjamb, police said. Buretz was arraigned before District Judge James Ellis on a charge of terroristic threats and placed in Washington County jail on $2,500 bond.

Forgery, theft charges: Danielle Lynn Jones of 253 Bench Ave., Canton, was arraigned Thursday on charges of forgery and theft. State police said she forged the signature of Claudette Clarke of Canton on checks, cashing them for $1,488 last month. She was arraigned before District Judge David Mark and released.

Crash closes road: Route 980 in Cecil Township was closed for several hours Monday morning after a tri-axle tanker and a pickup truck crashed in the single-lane tunnel near Millers Run Road. Cecil Township police said the tanker and pickup were heading in opposite directions when they collided inside the tunnel about 5:45 a.m., pinning the smaller vehicle against the wall. No one was injured, police said, although the pickup truck’s driver was stuck inside the vehicle and had to wait for crews to remove the wreckage before being able to get out. Police said fog might have led to poor visibility in the area. Investigators did not immediately release the names of the two drivers involved in the crash.

Vehicle hits tree: Alyssa R. Patterson, 21, of Brownsville, escaped injury early Sunday when her vehicle hit an embankment on Ridgewood Drive near Bogley Lane, Deemston. State police said her vehicle then hit a tree and overturned.

Endangerment charge: James J. Wright, 45, of 415 Lake Road, Donegal, was charged last week with recklessly endangering another person after he alleged fired a shot from his 9 mm handgun into the air during a disagreement with several people, including children, July 29. The charge will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

Drug charges: Carly Deanne Simonvitch, 28, of Allison Park, was charged last week by state police with possession of heroin and disorderly conduct after she reportedly was found passed out in her vehicle on Interstate 70 westbound near the Claysville exit, Donegal. Police said she told them she had purchased four stamp bags in West Virginia and had used two of them. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

Drug charges: Darian Alexandria Siget, 19, of 106 Donahoe St., Avella, was charged Friday by state police with possession of pain medication without a prescription, possession of marijuana and paraphernalia and underage drinking after state police said she was found July 4 staggering along Meadowcroft Road in front of Meadowcroft Village. She told police she was coming from a party. Police said Siget had several different pain medications, along with a pill grinder and marijuana. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Gary Havelka.

Jeans stolen: North Franklin police said several pairs of Levi jeans were stolen by two men at Sears, Washington Crown Center, Thursday. The men fled in a gold van driven by a woman.

Purse stolen: Kristie L. Burchik of Ellsworth told North Franklin police Thursday that she left her purse at Hollywood Theater at Washington Crown Center. When she went to get it, it had been stolen.

Jeep stolen, recovered: A 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee that Stacy Lynn Senay of 467 Old National Pike, West Alexander, had loaned to another person was stolen early Thursday from the lot of Gabby Inn, 1488 Park Ave., North Franklin police said. The vehicle was found several hours later blocking a driveway on Grandview Avenue. The keys were still in the ignition.

Driver identified: Yong S. Kowal, 62, of 518 Sylvan Drive, North Franklin, was identified as the driver of the car that went through the back of her garage Thursday and struck the home of her neighbor, Brandy Agmon of 524 Sylvan. Kowal told police that a wasp bit her on the leg.

Endangerment, mischief charges: Philip P. Renko,. 39, of 450 Pike St., was arrested early Saturday by North Strabane police on charges he violated a protection-from-abuse order and threw a metal spike through the window of the home of his estranged wife. Lori Renko of 12 McBride Road told police that her estranged husband had called her twice and driven past her home, blowing the horn on his vehicle. A few hours later, he reportedly threw the spike through the window. He was found near his home by Chartiers Township police. He was arraigned before District Judge James Ellis on charges of reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. He was placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. He also was charged with violating the PFA order.

Theft, receiving charges: Robert Noble, 39, of 740 Ewing St., Washington, was charged Monday by North Strabane police with theft, receiving stolen property and driving without a license for allegedly stealing scrap metal from a storage bin at Canon Mac Metals, Route 519, on July 27. He then allegedly sold one of six stolen radiators to General Alloys in Canton Township. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Laptop, suitcase stolen: John C. Kuntz of 250 Persimmmon Lane told North Strabane police Saturday that a laptop computer and a suitcase containing two suits and other clothing were stolen from his vehicle.

Gun, money stolen: Joshua Jenkins of 125 Trotwood Drive told North Strabane police Monday that his 9 mm semiautomatic handgun and $20 were stolen from his pickup truck.

Money, cards stolen: Alphone Corneau of 427 Mary Lane told North Strabane police Friday that $65 and credit cards were stolen from his vehicle. One of the cards was used to make a purchase in Clarion.

Cabbie not paid: A driver for Classy Cab Co. Inc. told police he picked up four passengers in Oakland and dropped off three in Shadyside, then continued to drive the remaining man to a house in the 100 block of Phillips Drive, township police said. The cabbie told police the man walked to the side of the house and disappeared without paying the $28 fare, police said. The cabbie called police to report the theft of services at 2:21 a.m. Sunday. When police arrived, the resident of the house was notified and was not the man who left the cab without paying, police said.

Aggravated assault charge: Cynthia Bouchard called police at 4:10 p.m. Saturday from Canonsburg General Hospital to report she had been assaulted during a domestic dispute in her home at 123 Brookdale Circle, township police said. However, after investigating, police charged Bouchard, 54, with aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment, police said. Bouchard was at home when she said an argument broke out between her mother and her brother over a swimming pool liner, police said. Bouchard said her brother, Thomas Bouchard, yelled at her and she threw “something” at him and grabbed a knife and attacked him, police said. She was arraigned before District Judge James Ellis and released on her own recognizance.

Man charged: Smith Township police on patrol saw a car parked on the berm on Route 22 near the Bavington exit at 5:37 p.m. Thursday, and upon running a check on the registration plate, determined the car had been stolen in Jefferson County, Ohio, in May, according to an affidavit filed in the office of District Judge James Ellis. Sitting in the driver’s seat was Christopher A. Slasor Jr., 22, of 389 Steubenville Pike, Burgettstown. Also in the car were his mother and a juvenile, police said. Slasor was charged with receiving stolen property, arraigned before District Judge James Ellis and was released on his own recognizance.

Domestic dispute: Shannon Bailey Sr. was charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment following a dispute with his wife, Selena, at 10:05 p.m. Saturday in their residence at 662 Joffre Bulger Road, Bulger, according to an affidavit filed in the office of District Judge James Ellis. Smith Township police said Shannon Bailey Sr., struck his wife. Police said Selena Bailey complained of head pain, and police observed puffiness near her left eye. She refused medical transport. Shannon Bailey Sr., 31, was arraigned before District Judge James Ellis and placed in Washington County jail on $10,000 bond. He was ordered to have no contact with his wife.

Child endangerment, assault charges: Cole Jeffrey Littleton, 21, of 10 Apple Way, Joffre, was charged Friday by Smith police with aggravated assault, simple assault, disorderly conduct and endangering the welfare of children. Littleton is accused of punching Tomacina Walters in the face and shoving her to the floor Thursday. He also allegedly threatened to cut her son’s throat if Walters would not get him a beer. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Gary Havelka.

Theft charges: Mark D. Hatfield, 31, of 30 Keenan Ave., South Franklin, was charged Friday by state police with theft and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds. He is accused of taking automotive parts purchased by his grandmother, Carol Ann Shrader, for him to install on her vehicle and then returning the parts to the store for cash last month. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.

Robbery, assault charges: Robert A. Petras, 31, who South Strabane police say is homeless, was arrested Saturday night after he allegedly twice assaulted a clerk at the BP station on Racetrack Road. Petras reportedly stole a pack of Slim Jims and then shoved the clerk who tried to stop him. Petras then got in his car to leave, but stopped and came back into the store, and again confronted the clerk, police said. Cereal and other food items were knocked to the floor during the confrontation. A customer put Petras into a headlock until police arrived. Petras was arraigned before District Judge James Ellis on charges of robbery, simple assault and retail theft. He was placed in Washington County jail on $50,000 bond.

Retail charge: Cory T. Wauthier, 21, of 419 Walnut St., Midway, was charged Monday by South Strabane police with retail theft for allegedly stealing 18 Blu-ray movies and men’s shaving supplies from Walmart, Trinity Point, June 20. The charge will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Two charged: Charlene Ayers, 20, and Robert Rybacki, 40, both of Pittsburgh, face charges of stealing items from Walmart, Trinity Point, Aug. 4. The two reportedly decided to go to Walmart, Trinity Point, to “boost” items after getting into a fight with her parents. South Strabane police said she tried to return DVDs valued at $472 that she had removed from the shelves. When the return was denied, she reportedly went into the bathroom and tried concealing some of the DVDs in her pants. Ayers was charged with retail theft and theft by deception. Rybacki was charged with summary retail theft. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Change stolen: Ruth Bolen of 1430 Donnan Ave., Northgate Apartments, told South Strabane police Saturday that a thief went through the glove compartment and trunk of her vehicle, stealing loose change.

Teen charged: A 17-year-old Union girl was charged with theft Monday by Southwest Regional police after she allegedly stole an item from Lynda Harrington of 6 Meadow View Place, Union July 12.

Access device fraud: Michael Alagich of 5023 Gary Ave., Union, told Southwest Regional police that his checking account information was used earlier this month to make purchases in several states.

Robbery charge: Brian Scott Stewart was charged with robbery and terroristic threats after city police said he held Darlene Reese at knifepoint at his residence at 135 Brookside Ave. at 8:41 p.m. Friday, according to an affidavit filed in the office of District Judge James Ellis. Stewart, 34, is accused of stealing $40 from Reese’s purse, police said. He was arraigned before Ellis late Friday and placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond.

Theft charge: Harry Irvin, 50, of 660 Broad St., Washington, was charged with one count of retail theft after police said he stole almost $300 in groceries from the Shop ‘n Save on West Beau Street Aug. 6. When police confronted him inside an open garage on Extension Avenue, he allegedly fled toward May Avenue before being caught. He was arraigned by District Judge Robert Redlinger.

Drug charges: Anthony McGinnis, 21, of 109 W Walnut St., was charged with one count of drug possession and two counts of disorderly conduct. City police responded about 11 p.m. Saturday to a complaint of loud music at McGinnis’ apartment, where they said they found a bag containing three grams of cocaine, a small amount of marijuana and a pipe. Police said a citation was issued to Byron Frazier Jr., 25, of 984 Jefferson Ave., for the marijuana.

Man assaulted: Joshua Cromer, 30, of the 300 block of Duncan Avenue, Washington, told city police he was assaulted when two unknown men entered his apartment building about 4 p.m. Sunday. According to a criminal complaint, Cromer told police he opened his door to see who was banging on his neighbor’s door, and the men forced him to accompany them to his neighbor’s apartment, where they kicked in the door. Police said two women who do not live there were inside. Cromer said one of the men struck him in his head and took his cellphone, which was later found in the yard. Police suspect drugs were involved.