Police Reports
These items have been collected from various police departments.
Butler PoliceMonday — Traci M. Lukavich, 37, of Butler was charged in connection with a wreck about 1:35 a.m. Feb. 11 on the 800 block of Belmont Road.Police said Lukavich’s sport utility vehicle slid off the road and traveled through a hedge row before hitting a large tree in a front yard. She fled but was later found. She admitted driving the SUV and sliding off the snow-covered road.Police charged her with hit-and-run.Feb. 17 — Police charged Betty Jo McGinnis, 39, of Lyndora with drugged driving stemming from a traffic stop at 12:48 a.m. Jan. 28 on Cecilia Avenue near Hansen Avenue.The SUV was pulled over after police said it crossed the double yellow line on Hansen Avenue, according to court documents. The officer suspected McGinnis was impaired. She failed field sobriety tests and was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for a blood test.Later at the police station, the officer asked her for the telephone number of someone he could call to get her a ride home.’“McGinnis slurred the number 724-Suboxone as she closed her eyes, and laid her head back on the chair in the lobby of the station,” a police affidavit said.Suboxone is a narcotic medication used to treat opiate addiction.Toxicology reports subsequently showed McGinnis had the anti-anxiety medication clonazepam as well as marijuana and cocaine in her system, documents said.She is charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, driving with a suspended license-DUI related and a flashing red light violation.Police also cited the SUV owner, Timothy J. Pletcher, 38, of Lyndora for permitting violation of title because he allowed McGinnis to drive the vehicle even though he knew her license was suspended.8:19 p.m. Feb. 16 — Tyler D. Smith, 30, of Butler Township was arrested on a state parole warrant at an apartment on the 100 block of Third Avenue. He was placed in Butler County Prison.
State Police, Butler6:02 a.m. Tuesday — No one was hurt when a car driven by Beverly L. Birsic, 58, of Valencia pulled from a stop sign at Park Road and was struck by a tractor-trailer headed west on Route 228 in Middlesex Township.Police cited Birsic for a stop-sign violation. David J. Jourden, 57, of Cedar Springs, Mich., was driving the rig.Tuesday — Michael C. Bastian, 18, of Renfrew was arrested two days after he allegedly attacked a 26-year-old woman at a home on Timko Lane in Forward Township.Police said Bastian about 11 p.m. Sunday punched, kicked, slapped and dragged the Seven Fields woman during the suspected assault. He also is accused of throwing the woman’s cell phone into Connoquenessing Creek.Bastian was arraigned on charges of simple assault, criminal mischief and harassment. He was placed in Butler County Prison $2,500 bail following arraignment.
State Police, Kittanning11:19 p.m. Monday — A 28-year-old Templeton man, who police did not identify, was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence on Route 85 in Valley Township.5:40 p.m. Friday — A flat tire apparently caused a one-vehicle accident in North Buffalo Township. Police said Anthony M. Stamerra, 55, of White Oak, Allegheny County, lost control of his van after the front driver’s side tire went flat on Route 28 north about one-quarter mile south of Exit 19.The van spun around two times before going off the east berm and rolling over. The vehicle landed on its passenger side.
State Police, MercerFeb. 16 — An unknown burglar stole six Xbox 360 video games and a bag of pipe tobacco from a home on the 1000 block of Barkeyville Road in Pine Township, Mercer County. The break-in happened between 5:40 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
