Crime briefs
North Union Twp. Security guard hit
Peter Ruggieri, 52, of Uniontown was struck by a car at 9:21 p.m. Friday while he was directing traffic at the entrance to Laurel Highlands High School in North Union Township, state police said.
Police said Jennifer Saunders of Uniontown was driving the car that struck Ruggieri, knocking him to the ground. Ruggieri was transported to Uniontown Hospital for observation.
Carmichaels
One car crashes
No injuries were reported at 1 a.m. Friday in a one-car accident on Route 88 near the Carmichaels Golf Course in Greene County, state police said.
Police said the accident occurred when a vehicle driven by Kevin Cacia, 25, of Rices Landing was traveling south on Route 88, left the roadway and sheared off a utility pole. The vehicle then traveled through a wooden fence before coming to rest against a pine tree on the golf course.
Carmichaels/Cumberland Township Volunteer Fire Department assisted state police at the scene.
Saltlick Twp.
Item found
State police said a plastic donation container was found on Emil Road in Saltlick Township at 10:25 a.m. Wednesday.
Franklin Twp.
Man charged
Brian Lee Willard, 31, of Fairview, W.Va., was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and providing false identification to law enforcement following a traffic stop on Route 21 in Franklin Township, Greene County, at 8:02 p.m. Wednesday, state police said.
Upper Tyrone Twp.
Tree branch struck
State police at Belle Vernon said William Bassinger Jr., no age given, of Pittsburgh Street, Scottdale, was traveling north on the Broadford Road Friday at about 4:20 a.m. when his vehicle struck a large tree branch laying across the roadway. Police said after the impact, Bassinger’s vehicle traveled about 60 feet before turning sharply to the right and striking an embankment. The vehicle came to rest facing east. According to police, Bassinger was not injured in the crash.
Grindstone
Merchandise taken
Mary Patrick, 32, of LaBelle was charged with retail theft after she allegedly stole about $164 worth of merchandise from the Dollar General Store in Grindstone on Dec. 16. State police at Belle Vernon said that Patrick was also charged with harassment and disorderly conduct after allegedly threatening a store employee when confronted about the alleged theft.
Morgan Twp.
Tires punctured
Joseph Balazick, 50, of Jefferson told state police that someone punctured four tires on his Custom-Fab trailer while it was parked at 124 Chartiers Road, Morgan Township, Greene County.
Canton Twp.
Charges pending
Three Greene County women will be charged with underage drinking following an incident at a location in Canton Township, Washington County, at 1:31 a.m. Dec. 26, state police said. Additional charges will be filed against seven other men and women for underage drinking as well as charges against a 21-year-old Washington man accused of furnishing the alcohol to the underage drinkers, police said.