Police Beat Dec. 21
AMWELL
Teen crashes: A 16-year-old Washington boy escaped injury Saturday when his pickup truck crashed into a utility pole and then a fence on Scenic Drive, Amwell. State police said he failed to negotiate a curve and went off the road. He will be cited with failure to stay in his lane.
CANTON
Driver injured: Betty Kisner, 74, of Washington, was slightly injured Tuesday afternoon when her vehicle crashed into another vehicle on West Chestnut Street near Jack Street, Canton, state police said.
NOTTINGHAM
Rig crashes: James Cochran, 46, of Irwin, escaped injury when his rig crashed through a guardrail and went over an embankment off Route 136 near Chestnut Lane, Nottingham, about 8:40 p.m. Monday. Cochran told state police he was going west when an oncoming vehicle came into his lane. He swerved to avoid the other vehicle and went through the guardrail. His rig jackknifed, trapping him in the cab. Cochran was cited for failure to stay in his lane.
SMITH
Welfare fraud charge: Dawna Annamarie Butler, 48, of 9 Margaret St., Slovan, was charged last week by the state Office of Inspector General with welfare fraud after she allegedly failed to report income by another family member to her caseworker and failed to disclose the income on two application forms. Butler reportedly got $1,605 in Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program money she was not eligible to receive. That charge was sent Monday by summons from the office of District Judge Gary Havelka.
WASHINGTON
Plate stolen: Allen Johnson of 860 E. Maiden St. told Washington police Tuesday the license plate was stolen from his car.