Nov 12, 2013 5 min read

Drug, traffic charges: Joseph John Giovanardi, 56, of 800 Park St., California, was arrested Sunday night by California University of Pennsylvania police after he allegedly was found with suspected heroin during a traffic stop near the intersection of Second Street and East Alley. Police said they saw him making furtive movements inside the car, and that the suspected drug was found in his pocket. Giovanardi was arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson on charges of possession of heroin, disorderly conduct and a traffic violation. He was placed in Washington County jail on $20,000 percentage bond.

Theft, receiving charges: Heather L. Shumar, 34, of Hiller, was arrested Friday afternoon by California police on charges of retail theft and receiving stolen property after she allegedly stole underwear, drapes and pain reliever from Dollar General, 201 Wood St. She was arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson and placed in Washington County jail on a $20,000 percentage bond.

Warrant arrest: Charles Davis, 29, of Poplar Road, Avella, was taken into Saturday by state police on a bench warrant after he was found on Poplar near Brush Run Road in Hopewell. Police also will charge him with possession of drug paraphernalia. He was placed in Washington County jail on the warrant.

Assault charge: Peter M. Blanciak, 42, of Vandergrift, was arrested Friday by Mt. Pleasant police after he allegedly grabbed his girlfriend, Carolyn Sorrels, by the neck and pushed her to the ground while he was at Jack’s Hotel and Sports Bar, 10410 Burgettstown Road. He was arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson on charges of simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment. He was placed in Washington County jail on $15,000 percentage bond with orders to have no contact with Sorrels.

Woman charged: Melissa Ann Dietz, 31, of 151 Stringtown Road, Carmichaels, was charged Tuesday by North Franklin police with identity theft, access device fraud and theft for allegedly stealing debit cards from Rachel Bruno of Washington while the two were working at Advanced Surgical, 100 Trich Drive, in August. Dietz is accused of using Bruno’s card to pay a cable television bill and a card owned by Bruno’s husband to pay a Verizon bill. Police said Dietz also admitted to stealing $400 from another employee’s purse but could not recall which employee. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.

Drug charges: Anthony M. Lista, 18, of 182 Weaver Run Road, Washington, and Christopher M. Oravetz, 18, of 380 Hewitt Ave., Canton Township, were charged Tuesday by North Franklin police with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, conspiracy and public drunkenness. The two were allegedly caught smoking marijuana outside Hollywood Theaters, Washington Crown Center, Friday. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.

False reports: Nathan Barney of Homer City was charged Tuesday by North Franklin police with false reports and criminal mischief after allegedly reporting to an officer that his room at Days Inn, 1370 W. Chestnut St., had been broken into Monday. Police said surveillance showed Barney kicking open the door to his room. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.

iPad stolen: North Franklin police said that a white man wearing a hooded shirt and calf-high socks with tennis shoes stole an iPad from Sears, Washington Crown Center, on Sunday.

Harassment charge: Andrea Gonzalez, 40, of Waynesburg, will be charged by North Franklin police with harassment for allegedly making numerous calls and text messages to Chad Allen Glendenning, 34, of Washington. Police were called Friday. The charge will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.

Charged in crash: Matthew Kennison, 23, of 10 Holly Ridge Road, Washington, will be charged by North Franklin police with failure to drive at a safe speed after crashing into a parked car on Spring Valley Drive near Willowbrook Drive Friday night. Police said he told them he was reaching down to pick up his cellphone.

Access device fraud: Catelynn Lushia, 19, of Eighty Four, was charged Tuesday by state police with access device fraud and receiving stolen property. While working as a cashier Oct. 24 at Kwik Fill, 1792 Route 136, Somerset, she allegedly hit the cash-back button on the register when Ronald Bryner of Connellsville used his debit card to buy a soft drink. She then selected $20 and put the money in her pocket, police said. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Curtis Thompson.

Vehicle damaged: Patricia Ferguson of Avella told South Strabane police Monday that her vehicle was scratched while parked at Giant Eagle, Strabane Square.

Drug paraphernalia: Jeremy Zollars, 33, of 701 North Main St., Washington, faces drug paraphernalia charges for having an empty stamp bag and empty crack pipe at his residence July 10, city police said. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.

Drug paraphernalia: Melissa Bird, 39, of 660 Addison St., Washington, faces drug paraphernalia charges for having two empty stamp bags in her purse June 17 at the intersection of Franklin and Walnut streets, city police said. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.

Six charged: Six people face drug charges for having access to seven empty stamp bags and two white pills marked 512 at a residence at 126 Hall Ave., Washington, Aug. 31, city police said. Carla A. Ruscello, 29, of Washington; Justin M. Stewart, 27, of Pittsburgh; Michelle Lee Terrell, 38, of Washington; David A. Clemons, 51, of Washington; Ernest L. Campbell, 30, of Pittsburgh; and Sandra L. Sheppard, 31, of Washington, will be charged by summons through the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.

Theft: Christopher Nestor, 40, of 31 First St., Marianna, was charged by city police with theft and accessing a device that is unauthorited by the issuer. Nestor, who was listed as an employee of Advance Auto on Jefferson Avenue, allegedly made two fraudulent returns for $447 and then credited the amount to his credit card instead of the company Nov. 4. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.