Law & Order
June 4, 2003 Avella
Armed robbery arrest
Uniontown
City police and state police arrested Akili Racheed Sutton, 23, of Washington on Sunday in connection with the May 26 robbery of the Avella Unimart.
Sutton was arrested at 70 Dunlap St. in Uniontown and was taken into custody without incident, police said. He was charged with one count each of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, theft by unlawful taking, conspiracy to commit theft and two counts each of reckless endangerment and simple assault.
Sutton waived extradition and was taken to Washington County on the charges, police said.
Jefferson Twp.
Robbery
State police at Waynesburg are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the BP Service Station in Jefferson at 11 p.m. May 31.
An individual wearing a dark-colored, hooded sweatshirt and black mask entered the gas station brandishing a long gun and demanded all the money from the cash register, police said.
The man then fled on foot. The victims are Gary Black of Carmichaels and BFS Foods of Jefferson. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 724-627-6151.
Wharton Twp.
Retail theft
David Daniel Pinardi, 28, of West Brownsville was arrested Sunday for allegedly stealing two Motorola two-way radios from Woodlands Outdoor World in Farmington, state police said.
Bullskin Twp.
One-vehicle accident
No injuries were reported in a one-vehicle accident on Route 982 at 6:20 p.m. May 24, state police said. A vehicle driven by Hope L. Zielinski, 19, ran off the road and struck an embankment and a pole, police said.
Dunbar
Simple assault
Scott D. McKnight, 18, of Dunbar was arrested for simple assault for an incident that occurred on Franklin Circle Road between 5 and 6 a.m. May 17, state police said.
McKnight allegedly assaulted Danielle L. Sandusky, 18, of Dunbar and a female juvenile from Adah. He was arraigned before District Justice Robert Breakiron and placed in the Fayette County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond.
Perryopolis
Man arrested
Mark D. Johnson, 34, of Perryopolis was arrested for simple assault and harassment for an incident that occurred at 7:18 p.m. May 29, borough police said.
Johnson was arraigned before District Justice Dwight Shaner and placed in the Fayette County Prison in lieu of $5,000 bond.
Whiteley Twp.
Mailboxes damaged
Two mailboxes on Dutch Run Road were damaged after they were smashed with an unknown object between 12:01 and 7 a.m. May 28, state police at Waynesburg said.
The owners are Donald L. Meissner and Russell C. Kiger, both of Waynesburg.
Perry Twp.
Cigarettes taken
State police at Waynesburg are investigating the theft of five packs of Marlboro cigarettes from the BFS/BP in Mount Morris that occurred at 11:14 p.m. May 19.
A man described as a white male in his 20s, between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing between 205 and 220 pounds with brown curly hair asked for the cigarettes and then grabbed them and ran out of the store. The man got into a red Chevrolet Corsica with the West Virginia license plate number 4W7409 and drove toward Mount Morris. Anyone with information is asked to call Trooper Daniel Ekis at 724-627-6151.
Springhill Twp.
Drug violation
Michael George Davis, 32, of Point Marion was charged with violation of the drug act following an incident on Lake Lynn Road at 4:30 a.m. May 22, state police said.
Davis was discovered allegedly smoking suspected crack cocaine, police said.
Menallen Twp.
Theft
Two cement angels were taken from the front lawn of a home on North Mill Street in New Salem between 8 p.m. May 28 and 8 a.m. May 29, state police said.
The owner is Judith Campbell, 42, of 64 N. Mill St. The angels were valued at $105.
Redstone Twp.
Items taken
A plastic birdbath and plastic pinwheel were taken from a yard in Adah between 5:30 p.m. May 28 and 10:30 a.m. May 29, state police said.
The owner is Rita Grahek, 52, of 705 Dearth St.
Redstone Twp.
Flowerpots stolen
Two flowerpots were taken from a yard in Adah between 7 p.m. May 28 and 10 a.m. May 29, state police said.
The owner is Loretta Hunchuck, 66, of 723 Coal St.
Fairchance
Criminal mischief
The passenger side window of a vehicle parked on West Church Street was damaged between 6 and 9 a.m. May 21, state police said.
The owner is Kenneth L. Elliott, 31, of Fairchance.
Dunbar Twp.
Windshield damaged
The windshield and windows on a vehicle were damaged while it was parked on Stephens Street in Vanderbilt at 4:30 a.m. May 25, state police said.
The owner is Ryan L. Weyand, 22, of Vanderbilt.
Menallen Twp.
Theft
A compact disc case with 45 CDs was taken from a vehicle after it was broken into at a driveway on South Mill Street in New Salem between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m. May 31, state police said.
The owner is Betty Jo Bartock, 50, of New Salem.
Uniontown
Window broken
Someone used a rock to break out a window at Tuskegee Terrace at 9:23 p.m. Sunday, state police said.
The Fayette County Housing Authority owns the property. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 724-439-7111.
Franklin Twp.
Harassment and stalking
Scott Michael Shriver, 29, of Waynesburg was charged with harassment and stalking for an incident that occurred at Koratich’s Golden Rail in Waynesburg at 11:50 p.m. May 30, state police at Waynesburg said.
Shriver allegedly struck Robert Preston Haywood, 27, of Waynesburg in the face following an argument.
Jefferson Twp.
Two-vehicle accident
Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident on Route 88 in front of the Greene Cove Yacht Club at 12:25 p.m. May 31, state police at Waynesburg said.
The drivers were Debra Gunther, 38, of Jefferson and Allan Jacobs, 58, of Lemont Furnace. After impact, Jacobs’ vehicle went across the road and struck the fence and sign at the entrance of the Yacht Club.
Gunther’s vehicle sustained severe front-end damage and Jacobs’ vehicle sustained moderate rear end damage.
Gunther was taken by helicopter to Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va., for treatment, and Jacobs was taken to Brownsville Hospital for treatment. EMS Southwest, Rices Landing Volunteer Fire Department and Stat MedEvac assisted police.
Franklin Twp.
Simple assault
Brett Kronk of Waynesburg and George Vedis of Rices Landing are facing simple assault charges for an incident that occurred at Reeseman Trailer Court at 9 p.m. May 21, state police at Waynesburg said.
The pair was involved in an altercation in which Vedis was injured.
Whiteley Twp.
Vehicle damaged
A pickup truck parked at Max and Sam’s on Route 19 was damaged between 11:30 p.m. May 30 and 1:45 a.m. May 31, state police at Waynesburg said.
The windshield was damaged, all four tires were punctured and both sides of the truck were scratched. The owner is Shawn Black, 27, of Waynesburg.
Franklin Twp.
Embankment struck
No injuries were reported in a one-vehicle accident on a legislative route at 11:15 p.m. Sunday, state police at Belle Vernon said.
A vehicle driven by Mark Dillandio, 18, of Vanderbilt was traveling on the road when he lost control, went off the road and struck an embankment. The vehicle sustained moderate damage and was towed. The Flatwoods Volunteer Fire Department assisted police.
Waynesburg
Police issue report
Lt. J. Ryan has released the public information statistical report for the Waynesburg barracks of the state police for May. In crime activity, 142 offenses were reported, all of which were founded. There were 95 offenses cleared and police made 97 criminal arrests and made five underage drinking arrests. There were three reports of stolen property, including motor vehicles, with a value of $49,611. The total value of recovered property, including two motor vehicles, was $13,814.
In patrol activity, police responded to 50 accidents, including six hit-and-run accidents and one fatality. There were 14 people injured in accidents, and police issued 394 citations and 180 warning notices. Police made 16 DUI arrests and 41 motorist assists. Officers responded to 434 other incidents for a total of 667 incidents.
Uniontown
Items taken
Mark and Julie Kovacs of Charles Street reported to city police that several items were taken from their garage and vehicle Sunday night.
A ladies red and blue mountain bike was taken from the garage and a set of Bushnell binoculars and a diaper bag containing a cellular telephone and checkbook was taken from a vehicle, police said.
Uniontown
Harassment
Hilda D. Thomas was cited for harassment for an incident that occurred on a city street at 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, city police said.
Thomas allegedly threatened Teresa J. McLaughlin.
Uniontown
Bicycle found
A white 24-inch Huffy bicycle was found on the Rotary Walk at 12:32 p.m. Monday, city police said.
The owner can claim the bike by contacting police at 724-430-2929.
Uniontown
Suspicious activities
City police are investigating an incident in which two men went to a Wayne Street home claiming to have the intention of fixing the water at the house.
Uniontown
Two-vehicle accident
City police responded to a two-vehicle accident with injuries at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Jefferson Street at 6:51 p.m. Monday.
Additional information was unavailable.
Uniontown
Tools taken
George Benward of Connellsville Street reported to city police at 3:31 p.m. Monday that an air gun and saw zaw were taken from his property.
Cumberland Twp.
One-vehicle accident
One person was injured in a one-vehicle accident on a legislative route near Route 88 at 6:35 a.m. May 28, state police at Waynesburg said.
A vehicle driven by Carl Yankura, 35, of Jefferson was traveling on the road when Yankura fell asleep at the wheel, lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road before striking a tree and rolling the vehicle on its side.
He was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va., for treatment.
Uniontown
Arrest warrant issued
City police issued an arrest warrant for Robert Lee Young on Monday for bad check charges for incidents that occurred at Uniontown Beverage in May.
Young allegedly wrote four bad checks totaling $267.24 from a Smithfield State Bank account. Young is facing charges of bad checks, theft by deception and receiving stolen property.
Dunbar Twp.
Vehicle damaged
State police said Michael McLaughlin, 18, of Connellsville was cited with criminal mischief after he allegedly kicked a vehicle owned by William McLaughlin Jr., 20, of Connellsville at an Oak Street residence Monday at 11 a.m.
Dunbar Twp.
Man charged
State police said charges of criminal trespass and harassment were filed against Earvin Smith, 41, of West Leisenring after he allegedly harassed Dora Hill, 44, of Dunbar on property owned by Roy Hill, 53, of Dunbar between 12:37 and 1:30 a.m. Tuesday along Balaban Road.
Georges Twp.
Woman harassed
Darla David of Smithfield told state police that a Smithfield man known to her struck her in the arm during an argument at a 2776 Morgantown Road residence Monday at 9 p.m.
Masontown
Police issue report
The Masontown Police Department received 243 requests for service in May, including 64 that led to arrests. The department responded to 13 incidents involving domestic disputes, 12 thefts and 52 borough ordinance violations.
The police reported 11 traffic accidents, three incidents involving public drunkenness and five complaints of trespass. The department said $2,499 worth of property was lost or stolen, with only $86 recovered.