Police beat Oct. 8
Drug arrest: Maceo B. Bell, 34, of 1004 Bolder St., California, was arraigned Thursday before District Judge Joshua Kanalis on charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine, heroin and controlled substance, possession of contraband and possession of contraband by an inmate. Bell, who was wanted on a Westmoreland County bench warrant, was taken into custody by California police Sept. 30 at a convenience store in the borough. He was taken to Washington County jail, where police said he was found with the suspected drugs. Kanalis set bond at $50,000 on Bell, who is in Westmoreland County jail.
Cemetery crash: Jena Stathers, 32, of 706 Frederick Court, Canonsburg, reportedly called Canonsburg police three hours after her vehicle was found abandoned in an open grave about 11:20 p.m. Thursday at St. Patrick Cemetery, 611 Ridge Ave. She told police she left the cemetery because she was afraid. Police said there was damage to the cemetery, but did not specify the type of damage. Stathers will be charged with leaving the scene of a crash.
Assault charges: Clinton Blakely Keller, 28, of 20 Bel Air Drive, Canton, was arrested Thursday by state police on charges of simple assault and harassment. He is accused of choking and pushing his girlfriend during a confrontation at 20 Bel Air. Keller was arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson and placed in Washington County jail on $15,000 bond.
Theft charge: Brandi J. Stallard, 33, of 235 Third Ave., Crucible, was arraigned Thursday before District Judge Joshua Kanalis on a felony charge of retail theft filed by East Bethlehem police. She is accused of stealing $245.25 in merchandise from Family Dollar, 26 Front St., Sept. 29. She was released on $2,500 unsecured bond.
Impersonating an officer charge: Stormy Rae Palmer, 24, of Greensburg, was charged Friday by Morris police with impersonating a public servant and speeding stemming from a Sept. 16 traffic stop in the 4500 block of Prosperity Pike. She allegedly told the officer she was graduating from the Smithton police academy in a week or two. The officer agreed to give her a warning if she faxed a copy of the warning with her instructor’s signature back to the station. He later encountered her leaving a park, and she allegedly told him she was an agent working for the Allegheny County district attorney’s office. It was later determined neither was true, police said. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.
Drug charge: Jessica N. Ribel, 37, of 423 Rainey Road, Eighty Four, was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger Tuesday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Ribel was wanted on an arrest warrant when she was pulled over by North Franklin police July 30 for a traffic violation. She allegedly had two crack pipes in her purse. Ribel was placed in Washington County jail that day on a bench warrant. A percentage bond of $5,000 was set Tuesday. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Oct. 12 before Redlinger.
Warrant arrest: David Alan Ganoe, 56, of 110 Main St., Belle Vernon, was taken into custody early Friday by North Strabane police during a traffic stop on Route 519 at Wilson Road. Police learned he was wanted on a Westmoreland County bench warrant for failure to appear. He was placed in Washington County jail on the warrant.
Assault charge: April M. Walton, 26, of 265 King Air Circle, South Franklin, was charged Monday by state police with simple assault and harassment for allegedly punching Amber Simpkins during a Sept. 4 confrontation at her home. The charges were sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.
Drug charge: Dashawn E. Whitaker, 21, of 133 Charles St., Washington, was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger Wednesday on charges of criminal conspiracy and selling drugs near a playground. According to the Washington County Drug Task Force, Whitaker sold heroin to a confidential informant near Second Street and Donnan Avenue during a task force operation April 20 to May 15. He was placed in jail on a state parole violation. His bond was set at $10,000 Tuesday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Oct. 12 before Redlinger.
Charged in two thefts: Eric Eugene Bee, 34, of 1140 Maple Terrace, Washington, was charged by Washington police in separate thefts. He is charged with theft and receiving stolen property for allegedly stealing a blower from a yard of a home in the 600 block of Allison Avenue last month and then selling it at a Washington resale shop. He also is charged with theft for allegedly stealing a purse from a Washington woman’s vehicle last month while it was parked at a gasoline station at 326 Ridge Ave. He will be arraigned on the charges later before District Judge Robert Redlinger. He is currently in Washington County jail on $15,000 bond stemming from two earlier sets of charges, including theft and burglary.
Felony theft charge: Marci Gossic, 42, of 250 Donnan Ave., Washington, was charged this week by Washington police with felony retail theft for allegedly stealing items valued at $42.62 from Family Dollar, 130 Highland Ave., Monday. The charge will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.