Police Reports
These items have been collected from various police departments.
2:57 p.m. Wednesday — One person was hurt in a three-car crash on West New Castle Street.The crash happened when a car driven by Peyton Mellish, 17, of Summit Township struck the rear of a car driven by Jacob Wahl, 16, of Center Township. The collision pushed Wahl's vehicle into the rear of a car driven by Elizabeth Pullekines, 17, of Center Township.Brook Smith, 17, of Butler, a passenger in Mellish's car, was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.Tuesday — Michael J. Dittmer, 31, of West Sunbury is accused of groping a woman and soliciting prostitution in separate incidents last month.Police charged Dittmer after a woman last week reported that the suspect, who she did not know, fondled her after giving her a ride in his pickup truck May 12 on West New Castle Street.She jumped out of the truck when it stopped; however, she did not report what happened until May 26, when the same man stopped and again offered her a ride. She declined and went to the police station, according to court documents.Police said their investigation led them to Dittmer, who they also suspect of soliciting sex from prostitutes in Butler. He is charged with indecent assault, criminal solicitation and patronizing prostitutes.11:26 p.m. Friday — An assortment of hand tools and power tools fell off a truck traveling over the General Butler Bridge. The driver apparently was unaware of what happened and did not stop.The owner can claim the property, valued at $400, by calling police at 724-287-7743.
Friday — Police charged Douglas L. Douglas, 50, of Mars with drunken driving stemming from a May 19 traffic stop on Horseshoe Drive. Douglas is charged with driving under the influence, disregarding traffic lanes and making an improper left turn.Friday — Police charged Trent C. Marek, 42, of Gibsonia with being more than twice the legal limit for alcohol in connection with a DUI arrest May 15 at Holly Court and Pine Bluff Drive.A blood test later showed Marek's blood-alcohol level was 0.21 percent. A level of 0.08 percent is considered intoxicated under state law.May 27 — Jason R. Nohe, 23, of Cranberry Township faces drunken driving charges and several traffic violations following a May 23 traffic stop at Little Creek and Mercer roads. Nohe is charged with DUI, reckless driving, driving at an unsafe speed, driving without a license and driving with a suspended license.May 24 — Police accused Benjamin W. Sieminski, 23, of Harmony of being impaired by alcohol and drugs on May 8 when he crashed his sport utility vehicle into landscaping and a sign at the Burger King restaurant on Route 19. Sieminski, police said, drove away after the crash.Witnesses were able to give officers the license plate number of the suspected vehicle, which was traced back to Sieminski. A short time later police found the damaged SUV parked on the side of Scott Ridge Road in Lancaster Township.The suspect smelled of alcohol and he admitted he had smoked marijuana within the past two days, according to court documents.He told officers he knew that he hit "something", a police affidavit said, but he left because he was "scared."A blood test showed his blood-alcohol was 0.188 percent, or double the legal limit. Toxicology results also revealed the presence of marijuana.Sieminski is charged with DUI, hit-and-run, failure to stop or render aid after an accident and careless driving.
11:57 p.m. Tuesday — Christine Wroblewski, 35, of Murrells Inlet, S.C., was arrested for driving under the influence on Whitestown Road near Eberhart Road. In addition to DUI, she is charged with a lane violation.6:23 p.m. Tuesday — Matthew Sheppeck, 21, of Butler was cited for a burning violation in the 100 block of Dutchtown Road.2:52 p.m. Tuesday — Vehicles driven by John Lutz, 17, and Patricia Zabicki, 43, both of Butler collided on Fairground Hill Road.2:31 p.m. Monday — Jeffrey E. West Jr., 30, of Butler faces a felony charge of retail theft stemming from the latest shoplifting case against him.Police said West allegedly shoplifted $79.88 in merchandise from the Wal-Mart in Butler Commons.Normally a misdemeanor, retail theft is upgraded to a third-degree felony when a defendant has at least two prior arrests for the same crime.In addition to retail theft, police also charged West with defiant trespass and possessing an instrument of crime.4:06 p.m. Saturday — Christian M. Ellis, 37, of Butler was arrested for suspicion of DUI at Whitestown and Meridian roads. Police also cited Ellis for a red light violation.1:02 a.m. Sunday — Christa L. Wagner, 31, of Butler was arrested for suspicion of DUI on Whitestown Road. Police also charged Wagner with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, and making an illegal U-turn.
6 p.m. Tuesday — Ralph A. Cogswell, 52, of Mercer was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence after a passenger in his car was spotted urinating in a parking lot on East Main Street.The passenger, Lonnie Cogswell, 56, of Mercer, was cited for disorderly conduct and an open container violation.
1:19 p.m. Wednesday — Russell R. Johnson, 46, of Girard, Ohio, was hurt when the tractor-trailer he was driving struck a Jersey barrier on the Interstate 79 exit ramp at Route 422 and overturned in Muddy Creek Township.A medical helicopter flew Johnson to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh with moderate injuries. Police said Johnson, who was wearing a seat belt, was cited for driving at an unsafe speed.
8:30 a.m. Wednesday — A student at Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School reported she was sexually assaulted by a male student in a wooded area outside the school in Richland Township.Police said they are investigating the case as an indecent assault but released no other information.
4:10 a.m. Wednesday — A car driven by Shannon McMillen, 28, of Kittanning crashed into a utility pole along Wyant Road about one-half mile north of Freeport Road in North Buffalo Township. Police said McMillen, who was not wearing a seat belt, suffered a minor injury.
3:55 p.m. Wednesday — A pickup truck driven by Gene A. Pelletier, 38, of Harrisville and a sport utility vehicle driven by Debby K. Dolan, 53, of Slippery Rock collided at Frew Mill and Young roads in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County.Police said Pelletier was cited for an undisclosed traffic violation.
