Police beat Feb. 9
Underage drinking charges: Kenneth Michael Johnson, 20, of Greensburg, was charged Saturday by California police with underage drinking and public drunkenness after police got a call about an unconscious man on the sidewalk in the 500 block of Fifth Street. Johnson was taken to Monongahela Valley Hospital for treatment because of his level of intoxication, police said.
Theft charges: Zachary Hinkle, 21, who told Canonsburg police he is homeless, will be charged with loitering and prowling at night, flight to avoid apprehension, theft from a vehicle and resisting arrest stemming from an incident Saturday morning. Police received a report of a man wearing a dark, hooded jacket looking into vehicles in the 100 block of South Jefferson Avenue. Hinkle allegedly ran when he saw police, tossing a bag. Police said he was arrested and found with some items believed to have been stolen. Hinkle was placed in Washington County jail on an outstanding warrant. Charges for the most recent incident will be filed against him later and sent by summons from the office of District Judge David Mark.
Gun stolen: William B. Johnston of Boone Avenue, Canonsburg, told Canonsburg police a Ruger .38-caliber special was stolen from his vehicle while it was parked in the lot of a Canonsburg business Friday.
Money stolen: Jodi Damerow of 431 Bluff St., Canonsburg, told Canonsburg police $103 was stolen from her purse while she was working at Town View, Elm Street, Saturday morning. Police said charges are pending against the alleged thief.
Warrant arrest: Kevin R. Ledbetter, 28, of Pittsburgh, was taken into custody Friday on a warrant on a charge of escape filed by state police when he failed to return to Riverside Community Center in Pittsburgh in December. He was arraigned before District Judge David Mark and placed in Washington County jail without bond, pending his return to Allegheny County.
Traffic stop arrest: Eric Allen Colella, 36, of 518 E. Maiden St., Washington, was arrested Sunday night by Cecil police during a traffic stop at the intersection of Park Drive and Mayview Road. When police attempted to stop him, he allegedly fled. Police terminated the pursuit but later found the vehicle abandoned at the rear of a building in the 1700 block of Mayview. They said Colella was found in front of a nearby house. He was arraigned before District Judge Joshua Kanalis on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude police, reckless endangerment, reckless driving and other traffic violations. He was released on $2,500 unsecured bond.
Reckless endangerment: Deanna S. Lewis, 33, of 333 Manown St., Monessen, is charged in a summons filed Monday by city police with reckless endangerment, driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to properly restrain a child in a moving vehicle, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, court records show. Police accuse Lewis of driving from a traffic stop about 9:15 p.m. Jan. 30 at Ontario Street and Schoonmaker Avenue. Police said an officer followed her car to Florida Alley, where it was stuck in grass and ice and a young boy was inside and unrestrained.
Assault arrest: Jonathan A. Kurta, 31, of Duquesne, was arrested Saturday by Monongahela police on charges of simple assault, resisting arrest, flight to avoid apprehension, harassment and criminal mischief. Police were called to the home of his girlfriend, Samantha Andiorio of 757 E. Main St., for a report of an open line on a call to the 911 center. When police arrived, Kurta allegedly fled, ignoring orders to stop. Several departments searched the area, and police said he was found hiding in a shed. He was arraigned before District Judge David Mark and placed in Washington County jail on $50,000 bond.
Criminal trespass charge: A New Eagle man is accused of calling Washington County 911 Friday to report himself to police for trespassing at a residence in Monongahela.Monongahela police said they asked Joshua L. Hubbard when they arrived at 604 Geary St. about 9 a.m. why he disobeyed their prior order to stay away from the residence, and he shrugged his shoulders, according to court records.Hubbard then reportedly told police, “I’m not allowed to be here … and I wanted to go to jail.” Hubbard, 18, of 121 Mulberry St., is charged with criminal trespass, and he remained Monday in Washington County jail on $1,000 bond set by District Judge Mark Wilson.
Warrant arrest: David T. West, 32, of 249 Latimer Ave., Strabane, was arrested Friday on a warrant obtained by North Strabane police on charges of burglary, conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property. He is accused of stealing money from the counter at Super 8, 8 Curry Ave., Sept. 20, while a clerk was away from the office, police said. He was arraigned before District Judge David Mark and placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond.
DUI alleged in crash: Randy Lewis Hastings, 32, of 157 Barr Road, Finleyville, faces a charge of DUI after crashing into a fence early Sunday in front of Ametek Inc., 1085 Route 519, North Strabane police said. He had to be freed from his vehicle by township firefighters and was flown to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment.
Wallet stolen: A customer at Panera Bread on Washington Road told police Saturday her wallet was stolen and her bank card was used to make a $500 purchase at a Target store.
False ID charge: James Anthony Hayes, 35, of 534 Summit Ave., Monessen, was charged Monday with false identification to police and depositing waste on the highway after Rostraver police were called Jan. 28 to Tri-County Lane at Italian Village for a suspected drunken driver who reportedly tossed a beer bottle from his vehicle. Police found a vehicle matching the description but no driver. When they found Hayes, he gave another person’s name, police said. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Joseph Dalfonso.
Power plant burglarized: Southwest Regional police are investigating a burglary that happened between Jan. 20 and Jan. 22 at Mitchell Power Plant, 50 Electric Way, Union. A hole was cut in a gate to enter the facility. Once inside, the burglar stole $3,000 worth of non-energized, three-phase power cable. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 724-929-8484.
Paraphernalia charge: Adam J. Walter, 27, of 19 Circle Drive, Union, was charged Monday by Southwest Regional police with possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from a Jan. 26 incident at his home.
Assault arrest: Vashaun L. Wright, 26, of 846 Ewing St., was arrested Sunday by Washington police after he allegedly shoved Ashley Angott into a wall and threatened her with a knife before stabbing the wall behind her. He was arraigned before District Judge David Mark on charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment and terroristic threats. He was placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond and for a probation violation.
Theft arrest: Donna Farabella, 54, of 14 Acheson Ave., Washington, was arrested Saturday by Washington police on a felony retail theft charge for allegedly stealing items from Shop ‘n Save, 150 W. Beau St. She was arraigned before District Judge David Mark and released on $2,500 unsecured bond.
Counterfeit money: Junique Obi Nwajei, 27, of Republic, was arrested Friday by state police on charges of forgery and attempted theft after he allegedly tried to use four counterfeit $100 bills at Walmart, Daniel Kendall Drive, West Brownsville. Police said he wanted to wire money to Arizona. Nwajei was arraigned before District Judge David Mark. He was placed in Washington County jail on $50,000 and for a probation violation.