Canonsburg women charged
Two Canonsburg women were charged by South Strabane Township police after one reportedly almost struck an officer with her vehicle after the other allegedly stole items from Walmart, Trinity Point, last month.
Erica Nicole Bennett, 33, of 130 Oak Spring Road, is charged with fleeing or eluding police, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest. Latoya M. Rosiek, 32, of 409 Perry Como Ave., is charged with retail theft, receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police were called to the store May 7 for a report of a woman who allegedly had just stolen baby items and was getting into a Mazda sedan that was heading in the direction of East Beau Street.
As he arrived, Officer Eric Holt could see the car stopped in traffic at the Trinity Point exit at East Beau. Two women were in the car. Holt activated his lights and siren and the driver stopped in the middle of the intersection. Holt then pulled alongside and told the driver to move to a nearby park and ride.
The driver, later identified as Bennett, reportedly screamed at Holt, would not obey commands and reportedly said “I’m leaving.” Bennett suddenly accelerated as Holt stood next to the car and the officer had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.
An East Washington police officer followed the car as it went down Lakeview Drive and got onto the Interstate 70 westbound ramp before abruptly stopping. Holt pulled his vehicle behind East Washington Officer Nicholas Powell’s cruiser. Powell got out and talked with Bennett while Holt talked with Rosiek.
Bennett allegedly still was not listening to police commands and refused to get out of the car. Powell got out his knife to cut the seat belt, but accidentally cut himself. Bennett, who reportedly continued to be belligerent, was then taken into custody.
The charges were sent by summons Wednesday from the office of District Judge Jay Weller. Both women are scheduled for July 18 preliminary hearings before Weller.