Police Beat Dec. 23
NORTH STRABANE
One hurt in crash: A Canonsburg man was taken to Canonsburg Hospital with a suspected minor injury following an early morning crash Thursday on Interstate 79. State police said driver Matthew T. Taylor, 39, suffered a head laceration after he reportedly fell asleep at the wheel and struck a guardrail before traveling through the median and striking another guardrail on the other side of the highway. Police said Taylor was not wearing his seat belt.
NOTTINGHAM
Driver flees: State police said a driver struck a utility pole near the intersection of Chapel Hill Road and state Route 136 just after 5 p.m. Thursday. Police said the driver fled, and power lines were down in a nearby parking lot.
WASHINGTON
Burglary: Two residents in the 600 block of Addison Street contacted Washington police Thursday and claimed while they were at work, their roommate stole $400 in rolled-up change, $250 in cash from a wallet, $200 in loose change and an iPad. Police said the roommate texted one of the residents that morning to tell them someone had broken into the residence through a window, but police reported no handprints or markings could be found on the window. Police have a suspect.
Harassment charges: Two people were cited by Washington police for harassment following an argument in the 600 block of Fayette Street Thursday evening. Police said Michael Lynch, 58, of 750 Buena Vista St., Washington, yelled racial slurs at Ashley Fields, 29, of 486 Ewing St., Washington. Police said Fields then struck Lynch in the face.
Assault charge: Melvin Charles Ringer Jr., 35, of 173 Jollick Manor, was charged by Washington police with simple assault after he allegedly pushed and punched a woman multiple times Thursday night. Police said Amanda Ringer and Melvin Ringer argued over her leaving the residence, when about 10:45 p.m., Melvin Ringer put his arm against her neck and pushed her against a wall. Police said Amanda Ringer tried to leave the residence and was in the courtyard when Melvin Ringer allegedly punched her in the face. Police said Amanda Ringer returned to the residence, where Melvin Ringer allegedly shoved her down on the steps and pinned her there. Melvin Ringer was arraigned Friday morning by District Judge Joshua Kanalis and jailed on $5,000 bond.
Theft: A resident in the 100 block of May Avenue reported to Washington police a duffel bag of clothes, a bag of books and $2 in loose change were stolen from her car overnight Wednesday to Thursday.