Police Beat Sept. 16
Theft arrest: Richard Leo Gump, 51, of 354 W. High St., Waynesburg, was arraigned Thursday before District Judge Ethan Ward on two counts of theft by deception filed by Donegal police. He is accused of stealing $20 from Minteer’s Market, 211 Main St., Claysville, in a quick-change scam and then trying to do it again July 10. He was released from Washington County jail after posting $1,000 bond.
Theft alleged: James Lee Goodwin, 36, of 304 First St., South Union Township, Fayette County, is charged by state police with insurance fraud, theft and receiving property, court records show. He is accused of reporting his vehicle stolen to California Borough police July 15, 2013, and collecting $7,511 for it from his auto insurance policy. The vehicle later was discovered locked in a shed at his former residence at 1134 Sloan Lane in Coal Center. District Judge Joshua Kanalis signed a warrant Thursday for Goodwin’s arrest.
Charged in crash: Canaan Joseph Callentine, 23, of Dover, Ohio, was charged Friday by state police with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, failure to stay in his lane and other traffic violations after he crashed into a guardrail on the off-ramp of Interstate 70 at West Alexander, Donegal Township, Aug. 28. Police said he had methamphetamine and an amphetamine in his system. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.
Crash injuries: John W. Dusha, 64, of Clarksville, was injured in a two-vehicle crash about 5:30 p.m. Aug. 28. State police said after stopping at the flashing light at Routes 40 and 519, Dusha attempted to cross from Brush Run Road to northbound Route 519 and was struck by a car driven by William J. Blakley, 23, of Ellsworth, that was traveling east on Route 40. Police said Dusha was treated at Washington Hospital for unknown injuries. They said Blakley was uninjured.
Bad checks charge: Joseph Krista, 30, of Pittsburgh, was charged by North Franklin police with writing bad checks after he allegedly wrote an $800 check on a closed account to Ezra Hildebrand of North Franklin in July. He was purchasing headphones from Hildebrand, police said. The charge will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.
Theft allegations: Gene Matthew Anderson, 35, of 718 Peer St., Smithton, is charged by township police with forgery, theft and receiving stolen property, court records show. Police accuse Anderson of stealing several pieces of gold jewelry valued at $2,750 and two blank checks while he worked for a painting contractor inside a residence in the 6200 block of Overlook Lane between Aug. 7 and 18. Anderson allegedly used one of the checks to pay his rent in the amount of $850. District Judge Charles Christner signed a warrant Friday for Anderson’s arrest.
Man wanted: Tracy L. Pravlik, 45, of 108 Yukon Ave., Yukon, is charged by township police with making terroristic threats and trespassing over allegations he pulled open a door at 117 Dongilli Park Lane and threatened to kill the resident, Taryll Skaggs, about 4:15 p.m. Aug. 27, court records show. District Judge Charles Christner signed a warrant Wednesday for Pravlik’s arrest.
Theft charge: Jamil Marquise Carr, whose last known address was on Broad Street in Washington, was arraigned Thursday by video before District Judge Jay Weller on a charge of theft by deception filed by South Strabane police. He is accused of returning stolen items in exchange for a gift card at Walmart, Trinity Point, June 11. Weller set bond on Carr, who is in Washington County jail on an attempted homicide charge, at $5,000.
Woman arraigned: Laurie Blackburn, 40, of 1320 Allison Ave., Washington, was arraigned Thursday before District Judge Jay Weller on a charge of theft by deception filed by South Strabane police. She is accused of stealing six items from Lowe’s, Strabane Square, in July 2016, and returning them for a gift card. Weller set bond on Blackburn, who is in Washington County jail on a bench warrant, at $5,000.
Money stolen: An employee of Sherwood Nursery, 1000 Washington Road, told South Strabane police Thursday that about $170 was stolen from the office.
Roofing materials stolen: Christopher Bowman of Washington told Washington police Thursday roofing materials valued at $800 were stolen from outside Fifty Yard Line Pub, 105 Henderson Ave.
Bushes cut: George Barton of 360 Canton Ave. told Washington police Thursday 20 to 30 bushes planted outside his fence were cut by vandals.