Police beat Jan. 5
Editor’s note: This story has been corrected from Tuesday’s print edition. A vehicle driven by Lawrence Vittone, 49, of McMurray, set off a four-car, chain-reaction Saturday in the northbound lane of Washington Road, Peters police said. Holly Gregory’s vehicle was stopped and was one of three hit in the rear.
Charged in crash: J.R. Harris, 28, of 212 Old West Road, Bentleyville, was arrested early Monday by state police on charges of driving under the influence, failure to stay in his lane and careless driving after he allegedly crashed his vehicle into a parked car at 325 Main St., Bentleyville. Police said he refused to submit to a blood-alcohol test. He was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger and released on $5,000 unsecured bond.
One injured: Aaron W. Bedillion, 23, of Claysville, was injured about 2:35 a.m. Sunday when his vehicle went off Taylorstown Ridge Road, Blaine, and hit a utility pole, state police said. He was taken to UPMC-Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment. He will be cited for failing to stay in his lane, police said.
Gun stolen: Marc Bevier of Canonsburg told Canonsburg police early Monday his .380-caliber High Point handgun was stolen from the top of a dresser in his girlfriend’s Valley View Terrace home. He said he was there for a party when several guests left abruptly. He then discovered the theft.
Warrant arrest: Christina A. Burdzel, 40, of 305 Greenside Ave., Canonsburg, was taken into custody Saturday on a Westmoreland County bench warrant after Canonsburg police determined she was wanted while at her home looking for a missing North Strabane Township teen.
Trespass arrest: John Anthony Hill, 30, of 14 Dooley St., Eighty Four, was arrested Saturday night by North Strabane police on charges of disorderly conduct, stalking, defiant trespass, institutional vandalism and public drunkenness after an alleged domestic dispute with his wife at a home on Barber Street. Police said while he was in the holding cell, he urinated on the wall and floor. He was arraigned before District Judge Mark Wilson and placed in Washington County jail on $5,000 bond.
Four-vehicle accident: One person was taken to a hospital following a four-vehicle, chain-reaction accident Saturday in the northbound lane of Washington Road, near the East McMurray Road intersection. Police said a vehicle driven by Lawrence Vittone, 49, of Canonsburg, struck the rear of a vehicle driven by Carlos Valladares, 46, of Eighty Four, whose vehicle then hit the rear of one driven by Cynthia Schraeder, 64 of Venetia. Schraeder’s vehicle was pushed into the rear of one driven by Holly Gregory, 49, of McMurray, who was stopped at a red light. The cars driven by Vittone and Schraeder were towed. Schraeder was taken to St. Clair Hospital for evaluation, police said.
Woman arrested: Melissa Czemerda, 35, of 161 Marion Drive, McMurray, was arrested Saturday by Washington police on a charge of simple assault after she allegedly assaulted Roy Martin, 34, at his home at 180 Lawrence Ave. Martin was taken to Washington Hospital for treatment. She was arraigned before District Judge Mark Wilson and released from Washington County jail after posting $5,000 bond.
Window broken: Dionna Vaughn of 157 Jollick Manor told Washington police Friday a window was broken in her vehicle.
Two charged: Jessica Harvey, 28, and Frances Knestrick, 47, both of 447 Extension Ave., will be charged with disorderly conduct after Washington police were called at least twice to the area about 3 a.m. Friday for noise complaints.
Harassment charge: Jesse McMasters, 45, of 10 Bel Air Drive, Canton Township, will be charged by Washington police with harassment after he allegedly went into the home of Tammy Gray, 195 Grove Ave., Friday and pushed her.
Apartment entered: Leisha Irwin of Washington told Washington police Sunday she was visiting friends when she saw two women enter her sister’s apartment at 173 Church St. and leave carrying a flat-screen television. The women dropped the television and ran when Irwin yelled.
Tires slashed: Terri Adams of 105 Church St. told Washington police Saturday three tires were slashed on her vehicle.
DUI charge: William Dietz of 800 Walnut St., Monongahela, faces a charge of driving under the influence of a controlled substance after crashing into a wall off Atlas Street about 6:20 p.m. Friday, Washington police said. Dietz allegedly told police he used two stamp bags of heroin before the crash.
iPad stolen: John Harter of 525 Montgomery Ave. told Washington police Friday his iPad Nano was stolen from his vehicle.