Feb 22, 2017 5 min read

Man jailed: Dustin C. Vandyken, 36, of 265 Waynesburg Road, Amwell Township, is charged by state police with aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment, court records show. He is accused of choking Shannon D. Hawkins and causing injuries to her head about 12:10 a.m. Wednesday. He is in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond set by District Judge Larry Hopkins.

Items stolen: A 29-year-old man told state police Monday that items including a Vera Bradley purse and Vera Bradley wristlet, along with gift and credit cards and cash, were stolen from a vehicle at 306 E. Buffalo Church Road.

Disorderly house charge: California police plan to file charges against several people after they were called to a disorderly party early Saturday at 817 Vulcan Village. Cassandra M. Rowan, 19, of Charleroi, will be charged with violating the borough disorderly house ordinance and underage drinking. Also facing underage drinking charges are Synia S. Holt, 20, of Erie; Kalynn L. Peck, 19, of McKees Roacks, Faith B. Reigle, 19, of Carnegie, and Alexis Wood, 18, of Spring Church.

Burning violation alleged: Benjamin M. Morton, 20, of Pittsburgh, the president of the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity, will be charged with violating California’s burning ordinance in connection with a large bonfire at the fraternity house, 600 Wood St., after burning hours on Saturday. Police said the fire reportedly contained building materials, which also is a violation of the ordinance.

Parents cited: California police cited seven parents of children who attend California Area middle and high schools for violating the policy on compulsory school attendance. Charged were Tobi Jo Lacey, 43, and Tanna M. Thompson, 40, both of Brownsville; Christopher M. Heffner, 39, of Coal Center; Alyssa Lee Decker, 26, of Fayette City; Autumn Cronin, 33, of Daisytown; Michelle Brumley, 44, of West Brownsville, and Brittany N. Brodak, 26, of California. The charges were sent by summons Tuesday from the office of District Judge Joshua Kanalis.

Threats arrest: Shawn A. Vaden, 37, of 916 Ewing St., Washington, was arrested Wednesday on charges of terroristic threats, harassment and theft stemming from an incident the previous day. He is accused of entering his ex-girlfriend’s home in the 200 block of East College Street and dumping water on her head. He allegedly stole her wallet and house keys before leaving the residence. Police said Vaden then called her and reportedly threatened to kick her in the stomach. He was arraigned before District Judge David Mark and placed in Washington County Jail on $25,000 bond.

Home invasion: State police said two black men and a white man forced their way into a home at 803 Seventh St., Marianna, about 11:45 p.m. Tuesday. They assaulted a man and woman living in the home. The three reportedly stole the woman’s purse and money that had been on a table before fleeing from the home, going west on Seventh.

Man wanted: Jason A. Swoger, 44, of 291 Route 481, Centerville, is charged by state police with making terroristic threats over allegations he threatened to kill his girlfriend before she got out of his vehicle about 11:20 a.m. Tuesday at a service station on Hill Church Houston Road, court records show. District Judge Larry Hopkins signed a warrant Wednesday for Swoger’s arrest.

Building damaged: North Franklin police were called Monday to the former Long John Silver’s, 1450 W. Chestnut St., after the building was entered over the weekend. Damaged were three windows, a wall-mounted sink and six chairs. Police said metal also was stacked up, indicating the culprit may have planned to return to the building. Police noted that they were not on duty at the time of the incident.

Warrant arrest: Shannon Hilbert, 23, of 695 Addison St., Washington, was placed in Washington County Jail on a bench warrant after she was apprehended for allegedly stealing items Tuesday from Shop ‘n Save, West Beau Street. Police also will charge her with retail theft and false identification to police.

Harassment charge: Mandy Holmes, 30, of Sugar Run Road, Waynesburg, will be charged with harassment by Washington police after she allegedly pushed a 28-year-old woman to the ground and punched her in the face during a confrontation Tuesday at the alleged victim’s Jollick Manor home.

Gun stolen: Nathan Mancuso of 65 Fairhill Drive told Washington police Tuesday a 9 mm Ruger handgun was stolen from his unlocked vehicle.

Drug charges: Kenneth Allen Finney, 37, of 27 Laurel Ave., Washington, is charged by state police with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, giving police a false identification and driving with a suspended license stemming from a traffic stop about 6:50 p.m. Friday at Ewing Street, court records show. District Judge Robert Redlinger will issue the charges in a summons.

Charges filed: James Eric Gaston Jr., 25, of 666 Broad St., Washington, is charged by city police with driving with a suspended license, giving police a false identification and marijuana possession stemming from a traffic stop about 11 p.m. Dec. 1 at Wilson Avenue and Main Street, court records show. District Judge Robert Redlinger issued the charges Tuesday in a summons.