Police Beat Nov. 15
BEALLSVILLE
Charges filed: State police obtained an arrest warrant for Chad Allen Stepp, 40, of 191 Castile Ridge Road, Marianna, from District Judge Curtis Thompson, charging Stepp with aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment and harassment. He is accused of ramming the vehicle of his estranged wife as she drove on Route 40 in Beallsville on Nov. 7. Stepp was placed in Washington County Jail Tuesday on a probation violation.
CALIFORNIA
Graffiti charges: Joseph Smith, 22, of 670 Park St., California, was ordered to stand trial Monday by District Judge Joshua Kanalis on 12 counts of institutional vandalism and criminal mischief and one count each of simple trespass and conspiracy filed by California University police. He is accused of painting graffiti at several locations on campus in September and October. He was released from Washington County Jail after posting $1,000 bond.
CANONSBURG
Assault reported: Heather Hixon, 44, of Houston, told Canonsburg police Monday that she was assaulted by another woman Saturday outside the Labor Temple, 15 S. Central Ave. She told police the other woman jumped her and had to be pulled off by several other people. Police will check surveillance.
CANTON
Driver charged: Jerelle Sweeney, 28, of 138 Hamilton St., North Franklin Township, was arrested by state police on charges of driving under the influence, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and traffic violations stemming from a traffic stop early Monday in the 600 block of Hewitt Avenue, Canton. Police said he refused to stay in his vehicle and listen to the troopers’ commands. A trooper used a Taser to subdue him. He was arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson and placed in Washington County Jail on $10,000 bond.
CARROLL
Theft alleged: Brittany Dawn Lephew, 26, of 47 Matthews Road, Rostraver Township, is charged by Carroll Township police with theft over allegations she stole a cellphone that slipped out of a woman’s pocket about 12:40 a.m. Saturday in the emergency room at Mon Valley Hospital, 1163 Country Club Road, court records show. District Judge Larry Hopkins issued the charge by summons Monday.
Theft charges: Cindy Lou Kossar, 47, of 828 Shady Ave., Charleroi, is charged by township police with theft and access device fraud, court records show. Police accuse her of making two unauthorized withdrawals totaling $240 from Dawn Kovalak’s bank account while Kovalak spent time in a hospital Oct. 17 and 18. District Judge Larry Hopkins issued the charges by summons Monday.
CHARTIERS
Tool stolen: An employee of National Pipe Line told Chartiers police Monday that a tamper was stolen from a construction site on Barrewood Drive near Henderson Avenue.
Items stolen: James Silvestros and Chester Lesjak told Chartiers police Saturday that tools and outdoor equipment were stolen from a shed at 350 Barnickle St.
CLAYSVILLE
Businesses entered: Donegal police are investigating break-ins late Monday at Redemption Coffee Shop, 224 Main St., and Claysville Animal Clinic, 228 Main St., Claysville. Nothing appeared to have been stolen from either business, police said.
DONORA
Man jailed: Vincent C. Johnson, 26, of 185 Gallatin Drive, Highland Terrace, Donora, is charged by borough police with simple assault and harassment over accusations he pushed Hallie Johnson to the ground and choked her with her shirt about 4:35 p.m. Saturday. Johnson was placed in Washington County Jail on $15,000 bond set by District Judge Larry Hopkins.
MONONGAHELA
Theft charge: Mark E. Torrey, 22, of 236 Chess St., Monongahela, was charged Monday by Monongahela police with retail theft and conspiracy. He is accused of stealing liquor from the Wine & Spirits store, 245 W. Main St., on several occasions in August, September and October. The charges were filed at the office of District Judge Curtis Thompson.
NEW EAGLE
Charged in assault: Nickolaus Levi Owings, 31, of Pittsburgh, was charged Monday by Monongahela police with aggravated assault, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct after he allegedly assaulted a man Oct. 30 in a parking lot at 460 Main St., New Eagle. Two vehicles also were damaged in the incident, police said. Owings, who is currently in Erie County Jail, will be arraigned later before District Judge Curtis Thompson.
NORTH STRABANE
Lawn tractor stolen: Timothy Bianco of 221 Demar Boulevard told North Strabane police Monday that his Craftsman 42-inch-deck lawn tractor was stolen from his yard. He told police he left it parked in the yard the previous day after the battery died.
WASHINGTON
Bad checks: Washington police are investigating a report Monday that an Eighty Four woman passed $595 in bad checks at Joey’s Farm Supply, 17 Wallace Lane.
Missing girl: Harmony Reign Lewis, 14, of 235 W. Chestnut St., was reported missing Monday to Washington police. She is black, 5 feet, 3 inches tall, weighs about 110 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes.
WEST FINLEY
Batteries stolen: Two excavator batteries were reported stolen from a construction site at Enon Church Road and Miller Creek Road between Thursday and Monday, state police said.