Police Beat Jan. 11
CANONSBURG
Fire reported: Canonsburg police and firefighters were called Tuesday night for a report of a grease fire in the kitchen at the home of Robert McMillin, 1116 First St. The fire was out when emergency personnel arrived. Firefighters cleared smoke from the residence.
CANTON
Assault, fugitive arrest: Daniel John Marunich, 39, of 201 Prigg Road, Canton, was arrested Sunday by state police on charges of person not to possess a firearm, driving under the influence of alcohol, terroristic threats, simple assault and disorderly conduct. He is accused of pointing a rifle at a man during an argument at his home. Marunich allegedly fled in his vehicle and was stopped a short time later in Buffalo Township. Police said his blood-alcohol content was more than double the 0.08 percent limit at which intoxication is presumed. He was arraigned on the charges before District Judge David Mark and placed in Washington County Jail on $50,000 bond. Police also learned that he is wanted on a federal bench warrant from the Eastern District Court of North Carolina for failure to appear. He also was arraigned as a fugitive from justice by Mark and was denied bond on that charge, pending extradition.
Burglary, theft charges: Zachary Andrew Thomas, 26, of Butler, formerly of Claysville, was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge David Mark on charges of burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal trespass. He is accused of burglarizing a home at 65 Imperial Ave., Canton, on April 25 and stealing a flat-screen television and safe, state police said. He was placed in Washington County Jail on $50,000 bond.
MONONGAHELA
Assault alleged: Jose Lewis Benitez-Sanchez, 53, of 502 Cuff St., Monongahela, is charged by city police with simple assault over allegations he struck a young female several times in the face about 10:35 p.m. Jan. 3 in his residence, court records show. District Judge Curtis Thompson issued the charge Monday in a summons.
Man charged: Russell K. Larew, 61, of 6 Maple Alley, Marianna, is charged by city police with being a habitual offender for allegedly driving with a suspended license at the time of a two-vehicle accident about 4:40 p.m. Dec. 27 on Route 88, court records show. No one was injured in the crash. District Judge Curtis Thompson issued the charge Monday in a summons.
Assault alleged: Rebecca S. Woy, 36, of 1211 Chess St., Monongahela, is charged by city police with simple assault, reckless endangerment and obstruction, court records show. Police accuse Woy of locking her boyfriend, William Chepanoske, out of her residence about 6:50 a.m. Dec. 17 while he was wearing only a T-shirt and pajama bottoms in 20-degree weather. District Judge Curtis Thompson signed a warrant Monday for her arrest.
ROSTRAVER
Warrant issued: Scott Elliot Payne, 30, of 1208 Wood St., Wilkinsburg, is charged by township police with three counts each of illegal use of access device, theft and receiving stolen property, court records show. Police accuse him of cashing three phony paychecks to steal $1,730 from a Shop ‘n Save, 600 Plaza Drive, on different dates in August. District Judge Charles Christner signed a warrant Monday for Payne’s arrest.
Men charged: John P. Kerr, 46, of 102 Monath St., and Shane Michael Pierce, 35, of 702 E. Main St., both of West Newton, are each charged by township police with theft, receiving stolen property and trespassing, court records show. Police accuse them of stealing fence pipes from the Clean Streams Foundation and other metal from a Questa Petroleum Co. natural gas well site at the former Buddtown Mine on Buddtown Road. District Judge Charles Christner issued the charges last week via summons.
Drug arrest: Danielle Rene Kissell, 30, of 446 Fourth St., Smithton, is charged by township police with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, court records show. Police accuse her of having one dose each of Lorazepam and Zolpidem and three of Alprazolam and 17 empty heroin stamp bags when she was found unconscious in a vehicle parked at an auto dealership on Route 51 about 8:40 a.m. Dec. 28. District Judge Charles Christner issued the charges Wednesday via summons.
SOUTH STRABANE
Two charged: Alexandra Rachelle Scalise, 20, of 137 Lakeview Drive, Canonsburg, and Jade K. Smith, 20, of McClellandtown, were charged last week by South Strabane police with retail theft and conspiracy after they allegedly stole items from Kohl’s, Strabane Square, on Dec. 1. Scalise is accused of stealing items valued at $494.91, while Smith allegedly stole items valued at $242.93. The charges were sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.
Theft charge: Traci Lee Kirby, 35, of 45 Barnickle St., Meadow Lands, was charged last week by South Strabane police with retail theft after she allegedly stole items valued at $272.19 from Walmart, Trinity Point, on Dec. 18. The charge was sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.
WASHINGTON
Drug charges: Brandi Lynn Byers, 36, of 905 Fayette St., Washington, was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Robert Redlinger on charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver heroin filed by state police. She is accused of selling the drug to a confidential informant in July 2016. Redlinger set bond at $10,000 on Byers, who was in Washington County Jail on a parole revocation.
Aggravated assault charge: Justice Lamar Walden, 22, who Washington police said is homeless, was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Robert Redlinger on a charge of aggravated assault after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend during a July 9 confrontation at 60 W. Walnut St. He allegedly had two knives and tried to stab her, city police said. Redlinger set bond on Walden, who was in Washington County Jail on a bench warrant, at $50,000.
Assault charges: Brandon R. Allen, 26, of 1355 Henderson Ave., Washington, was arraigned Wednesday by District Judge Robert Redlinger on charges of aggravated assault and simple assault. Washington police said he assaulted a man outside a bar at 106 Henderson Ave. Redlinger set bond on Allen, who was in Washington County Jail on a detainer, at $10,000.
Arraigned on drug charges: Felicia Marie Bohnak, 24, of 404 Fourth St., Monongahela, was arraigned Wednesday by District Judge Robert Redlinger on charges of possession of heroin and paraphernalia. A Washington County sheriff’s deputy filed the charges after a probation officer allegedly found the drugs on Bohnak on Nov. 20. Redlinger set bond on Bohnak, who is in Washington County Jail on a detainer, at $5,000.
Charged in stop: Julian A. Gallegus, 24, of 3640 Route 40, Washington, was charged by state police with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia after the drugs allegedly were found Sunday during a traffic stop at the intersection of West Chestnut and Canton streets, Washington. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Robert Redlinger.
Disorderly charge: Bobby Brown of 176 Jollick Manor, Washington, was charged Tuesday by Washington police with disorderly conduct after they were called to his home twice for a disturbance. He also allegedly threatened to punch police officers.
Woman assaulted: Amy Cole, 41, of Canton Township, told Washington police she was assaulted by a man when she went to 595 Maple Ave. to retrieve her belongings from his home. She refused treatment. Charges are pending.