Crime briefs
December 5, 2002 Uniontown
Man arrested
A 21-year-old Uniontown man wanted on drug warrants and observed allegedly driving on a suspended license was arrested after leading officers on a chase that began in vehicles and ended on foot Tuesday afternoon, city police said.
Following his apprehension, Marques A. Curry of 44 Varndell St. was arrested by officer Jonathan Grabiak on charges of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession of marijuana, carrying firearms without a license, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, fleeing or attempting to elude police, driving under suspension and reckless driving.
Curry was placed in the Fayette County Prison in lieu of 10 percent of $200,000 bond and pending a preliminary hearing at 3 p.m. on Monday.
The incident remains under investigation.
North Union Twp.
Purse grabbed
A woman was not injured when a man, asking for directions from a car, grabbed her purse and fled, dragging the woman several feet before the purse’s strap broke and she fell.
Accordig to police, the incident happened at Fayette Plaza on Rt. 51 at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 27.
Mary W. Terri, 52, of Smithfield described the man as a white male in his late 20s to early 30s and the passenger as a white female in her mid 20s. The stolen purse, valued at $190, contained numerous personal items.
Jefferson Twp.
Two-vehicle accident
Two people suffered minor injuries in a two-vehicle accident on Zazado Road Monday, state police at Belle Vernon said.
Police said a vehicle driven by Jamie Redman of Grindstone was stopped to avoid deer on the road when a vehicle driven by Kevin Masneri of Perryopolis struck Redman’s vehicle from behind. Redman was taken to Brownsville Area Hospital for treatment. Masneri also suffered minor injuries. Masneri’s vehicle sustained moderate damage and was towed. Redman’s vehicle sustained minor damage.
Belle Vernon State Police
Monthly report
Lt. Sheldon A. Epstein, station commander of the Belle Vernon barracks of the state police, has released the public information statistical report for November.
In crime activity, there were 113 offenses reported, 112 of which were founded and 58 offenses were cleared. Officers made 70 criminal arrests and recovered five vehicles. The value of recovered property, including vehicles, was $40,700.
In patrol activity, police responded to 45 accidents, including nine hit-and-run accidents, one fatality and 19 with injuries. Officers issued 461 traffic citations, 13 driving under the influence citations and 272 warning notices. There were 48 motorists assisted and 547 other incidents for a total of 753 incidents during the month.
Uniontown
Hit-and-run probed
Matt Thomas, no age or address given, reported to city police at 12:38 p.m. Tuesday that someone struck his vehicle while it was in the parking lot of Kentucky Fried Chicken on Morgantown Street.
Thomas’ vehicle sustained minor damage. Police said a witness gave a license plate number of EGN5791 for the hit-and-run vehicle, which is a Chrysler New Yorker registered to Joseph Niedojadlo of Republic. Police are investigating.
Uniontown
Criminal mischief
Lori Harris of South Pennsylvania Avenue reported to city police at 10:52 a.m. Tuesday that someone known to her cut her couch and took DVDs.
Uniontown
Glass thrown
Charlene Casteel of West Coffey Street reported to city police at 8:20 p.m. Tuesday that someone has been throwing glass, coffee and bricks at her home.
Uniontown
Two-vehicle accident
City police were called to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Bailey Avenue and Lenox Street at 3:31 p.m. Tuesday.
No injuries were reported in the accident. Additional information was unavailable.
Uniontown
Window broken
Brittany Winfrey of South Grant Street reported to city police at 2:40 a.m. Wednesday that someone threw a concrete brick through her bedroom window.
Uniontown
Man punched
Louis Richards, address unavailable, reported to city police that he was punched by someone inside JT Stockton Pub on West Main Street at 12:21 a.m. Wednesday.
Richards said he was singing karaoke when an unknown man argued with him and then punched him in the face. Richards was not injured.
Brownsville
Cars vandalized
Ron Sabo of 109 Park St., Brownsville, told police that someone broke out the passenger side window of his vehicle and the stole the radio. The incident was reported Dec. 1 at 3:39 a.m.
Similar damage was observed on a vehicle owned by Sarah Bannasch that was parked on Front Street.
On Nov. 30 Amber Terreta of 311 Cadwallader St. told Brownsville police that someone vandalized vehicles owned by her and her husband between 3 a.m. and 10 a.m., causing damage and removing a number of items.
One car had the console lid ripped off and various control knobs damaged. Two credit cards were also removed from the car. Damages were estimated at $220.
A truck owned by the Terretas had a case containing 50 compact disks removed. A spotlight was also taken. The items had an estimated value of $1,000.
Brownsville
Assault
Two men were reported assaulted in the 400 block of Clover St. around 4:45 a.m. Saturday.
Police found Craig Kerfonta, 18, no address listed, on the street with a head injury. He was flown by helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital. A second man, James Warren, 21, no address listed, was found nearby with multiple injuries. He was taken to Brownsville General Hospital for treatment.
Brownsville
Criminal mischief
Someone attempted to break into a soft drink machine at the Brownsville House apartments causing $800 in damage. The incident was reported Friday at 5 p.m. Christmas decorations and curtains were also taken.
Brownsville
Juvenile incidents
Three juveniles were detained at the A-Plus Mini Mart in separate shoplifting incidents. The first incident occurred Nov. 23 just before 7 p.m. in which a 12-year-old girl allegedly took some candy. The second incident occurred on Nov. 25 and involved a 14-year-old boy also taking candy.
On Nov. 22 a 15-year-old boy was picked up at 12:15 a.m. for a curfew violation.