Police Beat May 25
Assault arrest: Victoria Franko, 26, of 2193 Jefferson Ave., Canton, was arrested Wednesday by state police on charges of simple assault and harassment for allegedly hitting an 11-year-old boy in the chest with a plastic bat at their home May 3. She was arraigned before District Judge David Mark and released on $2,500 unsecured bond.
Chairs stolen: Betty Holmes of 437 Thorne St. told Chartiers police Tuesday that two metal chairs were stolen from outside her home.
Women charged: Kyla Tashae Stevenson, 18, of 342 10th St., Monessen, and Davina Carlock, 20, of 646 Thompson Ave., Donora, are charged by city police with posting obscene and other sexual materials on the internet and harassment, court records show. They are accused of posting the images of a Monessen couple on Facebook. The complaint was filed with police about 3:15 p.m. May 15. District Judge Joseph Dalfonso issued the charges by summons Wednesday.
Man wanted: Justin David Key, 27, of 978 Thompson Ave., Donora, is charged by Charleroi Regional police with strangulation, aggravated assault, simple assault and making terroristic threats, court records show. Key is accused of choking Sierra Walker, causing her to lose consciousness twice and leading her to believe he would kill her about 6 a.m. Tuesday at 579 Highland Ave. District Judge Larry Hopkins signed a warrant Wednesday for Key’s arrest.
Wall damaged: Patrick Frey, 21, of 343 Hilltop Lane, Canton Township, was charged by North Strabane police with criminal mischief after he allegedly kicked a wall at an entrance to Meadows Casino, denting it, on May 16. The charge was sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.
Trespass, drunkenness charges: Amy Babeji, 40, of 42 Second St., Lawrence, was charged by North Strabane police with criminal trespass, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct. Police said she was not allowed on the Meadows Casino floor due to her level of intoxication. She allegedly refused to leave when asked by security, and made obscene gestures to police and security officers. The charges were sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.
Drunkenness, lewdness charges: Richard J. Porta, 27, of 202 Henry St., Belle Vernon, was charged by South Strabane police with driving under the influence of alcohol, indecent exposure, open lewdness, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct stemming from a May 8 incident at Lowe’s, Strabane Square. Police were called to the store by security after Porta allegedly urinated on power tools in the store. He was found in a pickup truck parked outside the store. Police said more than $400 in damage was done to the tools. Charges were sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.
Receiving, theft charges: Temekia Nicole Thompson, 41, of Swissvale, was charged by South Strabane police with receiving stolen property and theft by deception after she allegedly tried to return stolen merchandise at the Gap, Tanger Outlets, on May 6. The charges were sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.
Woman charged: Erin N. Claybaugh, 20, of 339 First St., Belle Vernon, was charged by South Strabane police with retail theft for allegedly stealing items valued at $162.98 from Kohl’s, Strabane Square, on May 17. The charge was sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.
Theft charge: Brandy Jo Ellerman, 45, of 592 Lone Pine Road, Washington, was charged by South Strabane police with retail theft for allegedly stealing items from Home Depot, Murtland Avenue, on May 15. The charge was sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.
Arrested on warrant: Michael Robert Hostinsky, 37, who has no known address, was arrested early Thursday on a warrant obtained by Washington police charging him with burglary, conspiracy, criminal trespass and theft. He is accused of breaking into Coen Oil, 1065 W. Chestnut St., on Feb. 25 and stealing four Samsung Galaxy tablets valued at $1,500. He was arraigned before District Judge Traci McDonald and placed in Washington County Jail on $30,000 bond.
Two face charges: Kelly Kovacs, 26, of 1176 Bruce St., Washington, and Stephanie Victor, 25, of Washington, face charges of possession of paraphernalia after police say they were found with items while under the Interstate 70 viaduct off Jefferson Avenue Thursday. Kovacs allegedly had syringes, and police said Victor had a crack pipe. Victor also will be charged with false identification to police for allegedly giving an officer an incorrect name.
Jailhouse vandalism charge: Michael Tustin, 37, who’s been held since Nov. 1 at Washington County Jail while awaiting the outcome of two criminal cases, was charged with institutional vandalism Thursday. A city detective alleged Tustin carved and wrote on the walls of two cells at the jail. Police said Tustin was given the chance to make restitution for the damage, in the amount of $78.82, but refused.