Oct 23, 2014 4 min read

Theft of vehicle: Christy Jean Phillips, 28, of 351 McMurray Road, Upper St. Clair, was arrested Wednesday by Bentleyville police after she was found with a vehicle she leased from Enterprise Rent-A-Car while living in Dallas, Texas, and never returned. Police found her in the car while checking a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot in the 800 block of Main Street. She was arraigned before District Judge Joshua Kanalis on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft and theft of leased property. She was placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond.

Prowling, burglary charges: Zackary B. Buday, 28, of California, will be charged by California police with loitering and prowling at night and attempted burglary after he allegedly tried to enter a vacant home on Wilkins Avenue about 7 p.m. Wednesday. He was placed in Washington County jail on a probation detainer and will be arraigned before District Judge Joshua Kanalis at a later date.

Theft, receiving charges: Kara Rae Prentice, 24, of Charleroi, will be charged by California police with theft and receiving stolen property after she allegedly stole $200 from a friend’s purse Monday while the two were at a home on Cross Street. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Joshua Kanalis.

Drug arrest: Chet A. McLaughlin, 46, of 331 Fallowfield Ave., Charleroi, is charged by Charleroi Regional police with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, court records show. He is accused of having 384 empty heroin stamp bags and illegally obtained suboxone when police went to his apartment to question him about drugs about 4:30 p.m. Oct. 14. McLaughlin is in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond set Wednesday by District Judge Larry Hopkins.

Theft, mischief charges: Noe Amaya Sanchez, 32, of 134 North Ave., Washington, was arrested Wednesday by East Washington police on charges of theft and two counts of criminal mischief. He is accused of stealing a pickup truck from outside a home at 440 E. Chestnut St., early Tuesday and then sideswiping another vehicle before going into a ravine. Police said the owner of the truck left it running to warm up. Sanchez was arraigned before District Judge Joshua Kanalis and placed in Washington County jail on $10,000 bond.

Casino theft: Kostantinos Villios, 63, of 235 W. Chestnut St., Washington, was charged Wednesday by state police at The Meadows Casino with two counts of theft of mislaid property. He is accused of taking a $40 voucher from one machine Oct. 10 after the player walked away without it. Two hours later, he reportedly cashed out $370 in credits from another player who forgot to cash out. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Employee theft: Scott A. Meighen, 42 E. Wheeling St., Washington, was charged Tuesday by South Strabane police with theft after he allegedly stole $2,000 while working at Arby’s, Trinity Point, earlier this year. He reportedly promised to pay back the money but still owes $1,529, police said. The charge will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Joshua Kanalis.

Contractor theft: Robert J. Semulka, 47, of 30 E. Beau St., Washington, was charged Tuesday by South Strabane police with theft, theft by deception, deceptive business practices and home improvement fraud. He is accused of taking money from a township resident in October 2013 for various improvements and never completing the work. Police said he owes the resident $20,000. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Theft charge: Ian A. McCue, 24, of 761 Cleveland Road, North Franklin Township, was charged Tuesday with theft by deception by South Strabane police after he allegedly removed a coffee maker and blender from Wal-Mart, Trinity Point, Oct. 13. He walked past the registers and tried to return the items for a gift card. The charge will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Two face charges: Southwest Regional police charged two people following an Oct. 4 traffic stop on Route 88 at Brownsville Road Extension, Union. The driver, Craig A. Hartline, 61, of Coraopolis, was charged with having altered or forged plates, driving with a suspended license and fraudulent use of a registration plate. His passenger, Jena Marie Stefan, 28, of White Oak, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge James Ellis.

Vehicles entered: Emily Masa and Jeffrey T. Giovannucci, both of 64 Hobbit Lane, Union, told Southwest Regional police Monday their vehicles were entered. Nothing was stolen from his vehicle, but a Coach purse, wallet, $20 and identification was taken from her vehicle.