Police Beat Aug. 24
Assault charges: John Holzapfel, 52, of 37 Greenwood Ave., Pittsburgh, was jailed Wednesday for allegedly striking his girlfriend Tuesday. According to McDonald police, Holzapfel threw a gravy boat at Julia Libert, striking her in the face. He then allegedly wrestled her to the ground and struck her. Libert was transported to Weirton (W.Va.) Medical Center, where she was found to have multiple facial fractures and a bite mark on her stomach, police said. Holzapfel was arraigned before District Judge Gary Havelka and placed in Washington County Jail on $10,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled before Havelka Sept. 14.
Children chased: A woman reported to Canonsburg police that her 10-year-old daughter and several other children were playing outside Tuesday in the area of Valley View Terrace when a man emerged from an apartment, lunged at the children and chased them. The man, described as a tall, thin black man in his mid to late 40s, was not located.
Fugitive apprehended: Aaron Terrell Thomas, 29, of 403 Lookout Ave., Charleroi, is charged by state police with possession of a small amount of contraband marijuana in Washington County jail about 2:40 a.m. Nov. 17 and marijuana possession, court records show. Police said the trooper overlooked the marijuana before Thomas was jailed that day on a warrant. He is in Washington County jail on $100,000 bond set Wednesday by District Judge Larry Hopkins.
Drug paraphernalia charge: Sheryl A. Muzina, 49, of 118 Elks Place, Belle Vernon, was placed in Washington County jail Tuesday on $5,000 bond on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Charleroi Regional police said they were conducting surveillance of 331 Fallowfield Ave. on July 5 when Muzina was observed exiting the residence. When stopped by police, she allegedly had a needle, tourniquet and pipe. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 31 before District Judge Larry Hopkins.
PFA violation alleged: Eric J. Huston, 43, of Marianna, was arrested Monday by state police at a home at 2557 Martindale Road for allegedly violating a protection-from-abuse order obtained by Sheila Huston. He was placed in Washington County jail on an outstanding warrant.
Van overturns: Lonnie Runyon, 43, of Avella, escaped injury Tuesday when he lost control of the van he was driving on Fallen Timber Road in a rainstorm, state police said. The van hit a tree and rolled onto its side.
Woman jailed: Leslie A. Steban, 39, of 315 Riverside Drive, Van Meter, is charged by city police with possessing five stamp bags of heroin and two bags of cocaine and tampering with evidence stemming from a traffic stop about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at McKee Avenue and Sixth Street, court records show. She is free on $2,500 bond set by District Judge Joseph Dalfonso.
Man charged: Benjamin Wyche Jr., 27, of 140 Thompson Ave., Donora, is charged by township police with theft of leased property and receiving stolen property over allegations he rented to own a television from Prime Rentals on Tyrol Boulevard Dec. 1 and failed to make all of the payments amounting to $462, court records show. District Judge Joseph Dalfonso issued the charges in a summons Wednesday.
Prostitution charge: Kari Lombardi, 34, of 3106 Miles Ave., Clairton, was placed in Washington County Jail Tuesday on charges of prostitution and criminal use of a communications facility. According to court documents, Monongahela police set up a sting in which Lombardi met with an officer who had arranged to pay her for sex through an advertisement on a website. Lombardi allegedly met the officer July 20 in a secluded parking lot on Route 837. She was arraigned before District Judge Gary Havelka and placed in jail on $10,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 5 before District Judge James Ellis.
Woman charged: Dorothy Lenzi, 47, of 538 Green St., North Belle Vernon, is charged by Roscoe, Elco, Stockdale and Allenport Regional police with harassment and disorderly conduct over allegations she sent threatening text messages to two borough residents Aug. 18, court records show. District Judge Larry Hopkins issued the charges Tuesday via summons.
Drug charges: Paul N. Johnson III, 36, of 596 E. Maiden St., Washington, was jailed Wednesday on a charge of possession with intent to deliver for allegedly selling heroin to a police informant. According to state police, the informant met with Johnson on Feb. 22, 2016, in a parking lot on East Maiden Street, where Johnson allegedly sold 50 stamp bags of heroin. He was arraigned before District Judge Gary Havelka and placed in jail on $20,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 30 before District Judge Robert Redlinger.
Woman cited: Brenda Abbott, 44, of 14 Hasting Road, Fredericktown, was cited for disorderly conduct Tuesday for allegedly disrupting the drive-through at McDonald’s, 999 Jefferson Ave., for 30 minutes. Washington police said she was upset about something on her receipt.
Tub stolen: A resident of 475 Jefferson Ave. reported to Washington police Tuesday that a white, cast-iron tub weighing about 300 pounds was stolen from outside his home after 5 p.m. Monday.
Equipment stolen: The bucket to a skid steer owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Game Commission was stolen between Aug. 10 and Tuesday from a wooded area off Good Intent Road, state police said.