May 1, 2015 5 min read

Car damaged: Shannon Marie and Teddy Lee Knox of 116 Francis St., Bentleyville, told state police Monday vandals did $300 in damage to their Dodge Avenger.

Break-in attempt: Patricia Williams of 605 S. Central Ave. told Canonsburg police Friday her home was entered and an attempt made to force open the door to her daughter’s bedroom.

Marijuana charge: Kenisha Joy Brown, 23, of 609 Broad St., Washington, was charged this week by state police with possession of marijuana, driving under the influence of marijuana and traffic violations stemming from a Dec. 19 traffic stop at Caldwell Avenue and Green Street, Canton. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge David Mark.

Credit card used: Melvin Frank Moslener of Fallowfield told state police Monday that his credit card was used to make 14 unauthorized purchases, starting March 17.

Motorcyclist injured: Clyde R. Nicholson, 60, of Washington, was injured when his motorcycle and another vehicle crashed about 10:40 p.m. Wednesday on Route 40 near Brady Road, North Bethlehem, state police said. Nicholson was driving east on Route 40 at a high speed and was trying to negotiate a right curve while a vehicle driven by Laura M. Plitt, 28, of Scenery Hill was going west at a normal speed, police said. Nicholson crossed the center line, hitting Plitt’s vehicle, and she swerved off the road and hit a tree, according to police. Nicholson was thrown from his motorcycle. He was flown to UPMC-Presbyterian hospital, Pittsburgh, for treatment of injuries to his head, leg and pelvis. Nicholson was listed in serious condition Friday, said a hospital spokeswoman. Plitt, who was wearing a seat belt, was not injured. Police said alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

Jewelry theft charge: Michelle Lynn Rakoci, 28, of New Castle, was charged this week by North Strabane police for allegedly stealing jewelry from the Kevin Reppert residence, 540 Taylor Drive, in December. Police said she was working for a restoration company that was repairing the house after a fire. She allegedly stole the items and sold them at a New Castle jewelry store. The replacement value of the jewelry is $14,775. Charges of theft and receiving stolen property will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Arrested twice: About 1:35 a.m. May 1, police stopped Garry D. Wells, 58, of Simmons Avenue, Library, for driving without rear lights in the 4100 block of Washington Road. Police said a strong odor of alcohol was detected on Wells and charged him with DUI. At, 3:38 a.m. a different Peters Township police officer who witnessed Wells at the police station saw him driving. He pulled Wells over and learned he had a suspended license because of a separate DUI incident. Wells was arrested again and driven home by township police. Additional charges are likely, police said.

One injured: Kenneth M. Wier, 44, of 5 Deer Lane, Avella, was injured when his pickup truck collided with a pickup truck hauling a trailer and driven by Leonard E. Bragg, 41, of Chester, W.Va., about 10 p.m. Wednesday on Route 18 near Billy Boy’s Pizza. Smith police said Wier had to be freed from the wreckage by Slovan firefighters. Wier was taken to Washington Hospital for treatment of leg injuries. Blood was drawn to determine if he was under the influence of alcohol, police said.

Two charged: William Africa, 37, and Michelle Marie Africa, 35, both of 111 Colonial Way, Canonsburg, were charged last week by state police stemming from an April 8 traffic stop on Interstate 79 near the north junction with Intestate 70, South Strabane. William Africa is charged with driving under the influence of cocaine and morphine, speeding, failure to stay in his lane and careless driving. Michelle Africa is charged with possession of paraphernalia after police said they found empty glassine wrappers and a syringe. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Charged in stop: Brian D. Taylor, 28, of 12 Robinson Ave., Clarksville, was charged by state police with possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia and not having insurance, registration or inspection for his vehicle stemming from an April 18 traffic stop at the Murtland Avenue exit of Interstate 70, South Strabane. Police said he had Suboxone and 12 empty suspected heroin stamp bags. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

Trespass arrest: Matthew Coulter, 31, of 902 Chartiers St., Washington, was arrested Tuesday night by Washington police after he allegedly forced his way into a house at 88 Woodland Ave. He was arraigned before District Judge Larry Hopkins on charges of criminal trespass, harassment, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. He was placed in Washington County jail on $35,000 bond.

Drug charges: Ryan Duritza, 20, of 301 Mary Lane, North Strabane Township, was charged by the Washington County Sheriff’s Department after he allegedly had marijuana and paraphernalia while going through the metal detectors Wednesday at Washington County Courthouse. Duritza was at the courthouse for a status hearing on previous drug charges. The new charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.

Receiving charge: Bryan S. Stewart, 35, of 135 Brookside Ave., Washington, was charged Thursday by Washington police with receiving stolen property for allegedly having a weed trimmer and leaf blower that was reported stolen. He allegedly sold the items at a Washington pawn shop Jan. 14. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.

Trimmer reported stolen: Brian Jordan of 356 Jefferson Ave. told Washington police Thursday his weed trimmer was stolen from his garage.

Lawn equipment reported stolen: Dan Minor of 730 Beech St. told Washington police Thursday his Husqvarna lawn mower, a weed trimmer and leaf blower were stolen from the back of his pickup truck.