Butler Police1:20 p.m. Wednesday — James Earl Howard-George, 22, of Butler was arrested for possession of an offensive/prohibited weapon after allegedly bringing a switchblade knife into the Center Avenue School.Security officers at the school found Howard-George in possession of a knife when he tried to enter the school, and Principal Alicia Beighley contacted city police. A Butler police officer who responded discovered that the knife was a switchblade and packaged it for evidence.2:57 p.m. Wednesday — Tawny Kay Matuke, 26, of Butler was arrested for retail theft and possession of drug paraphernalia after allegedly being caught stealing from the Kmart on Hansen Avenue.City police were notified by store officials that a woman was spotted taking a Pittsburgh Penguins sweat shirt into a restroom and later emerging without the shirt being seen. Store employees who went into the bathroom found the shirt’s tags on the floor.Police caught up with the woman in the parking lot while she was attempting to flee the store. She dropped a purse while she continued to run. Police found the sweat shirt, valued at $40, in the purse. They also found a syringe in the purse.Officers were able to apprehend Matuke on Hansen Avenue, and she eventually was transported to the Butler County Prison for arraignment. Her criminal record indicated she has two previous convictions for retail theft, making the latest arrest a felony.

Butler Twp. Police7:35 a.m. Thursday — Police investigated a vehicle versus deer crash on North Main Street hill. The vehicle’s operator, 45-year-old Amy Horne of Butler, sustained a minor injury but did not require medical transport. Her vehicle was towed.2:14 p.m. Sept. 10 — Township police charged Angela Carlson, 23, of Butler, Dustin Cunning, 27, of Butler and Gary Gaurrich, 35, of Butler with conspiracy to commit retail theft, retail theft and hindering apprehension after police were dispatched to Walmart for a report of shoplifting. The suspects fled. After a brief investigation, police were able to identify the actors and file charges.