Police Beat Feb. 21
CARMICHAELS
Sale or transfer of firearms: Billy Joe Bainbridge, 44, of 215 Second St., Crucible, was charged Tuesday with unauthorized sale or transfer of firearms and false statements to authorities after Carmichaels police said Bainbridge attempted to purchase a firearm May 5 at a Carmichaels store. Bainbridge was prohibited from purchasing a firearm due to a past conviction.
CUMBERLAND
Harassment, simple assault charges: Benjamin W. Kiger, 53, of 307 Prospect Road, Point Marion, and Loretta Rutan, 54, of 1717 ½ E. Roy Furman Highway, Carmichaels, were both cited for simple assault and harassment Saturday after Cumberland Township police said Kiger choked Rutan and pushed her into a bookshelf at her home. Police said Kiger forced himself into her residence after she had attempted to kick him out. Kiger had an injury to his nose, although Rutan said she did not hit Kiger, but pushed him out the door, police said.
FRANKLIN
Fleeing officers charge: Manuel Joseph Bendana, 24, no address, was charged Monday with fleeing or attempting to elude police officer, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence. State police said they stopped Bendana driving east in the westbound lane on E. Roy Furman Highway at 10:15 p.m. Sunday. Bendana refused to stop for police, according to court documents, and the trooper followed him for several miles. Bendana finally stopped on a private road in Cumberland Township, where he then ran from the car was arrested shortly after. Police said they found two clear plastic baggies with a white substance in his vehicle, along with used and unused syringes and a bottle of various pills. Bendana told police he had used heroin prior to driving, according to the criminal complaint.
MONONGAHELA
Lawn mower stolen: State police said a riding lawn mower was reported stolen Feb. 2. from behind a residence on South Eighty-Eight Road in Monongahela Township.
WHITELEY
Single-car crash: Derek A. Bouchard, 18, of Waynesburg, suffered a minor injury about 4 p.m. Sunday when he crashed while driving south on Interstate 79 in Whiteley Township, state police said. He was cited for speeding, police said.