Police and Fire

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: On February 26th at approximately 1:17 a.m., PA State Police investigated a report of criminal mischief near a residence on Heinz Camp Road, Wayne Township. According to the report, a 31-year-old female victim from Ellwood City related that she was contacted by a female friend requesting a ride home due to an ongoing argument with her boyfriend. When the victim arrived on scene, the vehicle she was operating was punched by Brandon Holsinger, 25, of Ellwood City, causing a large dent to the front passenger door of a 2012 Mazda. No injuries were reported and charges against Holsinger…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: Franklin Cesare-Hesse, 33, of Ellwood City, is charged with Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, and Harassment after an incident on February 20th. According to the criminal complain, and at approximately 4:24 p.m., police were dispatched to a residence on Portersville Road, Perry Township, for a report of an individual who had been shot with a pellet gun. Police learned Cesare-Hesse shot someone over an argument and left the scene. On site, police interviewed witnesses who told police that the victim came to the residence with a girlfriend to borrow a vehicle and that Cesare-Hesse came out of the residence…


Lincoln Jr./Sr. High School Alerted Of Online Threat, Later Deemed Not Credible

According to information made available by the Ellwood City Area School District, and after further investigation by both Ellwood School Police and the Ellwood Police Department, the district was alerted of a concerning social media post and threat that has now been determined not to be credible. “It was good cooperation between the Ellwood City Police Department and the District’s Police that brought this to conclusion so quickly,” said Ellwood City Area School District  Superintendent Wes Shipley. “I appreciate their work.  This is a strong example of how we place the safety and security of our students and staff in…


Municipal Women’s Club Hosts New K9 Officer During January Meeting

The Ellwood City Municipal Women’s Club hosted the newest Ellwood City K9 Officer “Nico” as part of its January meeting last month. The K9 and his handler Officer Rich Kruger put together a wonderful demonstration of Nico’s skills for the members in attendance. The program was hosted by membership chairman Joanne Lowrie. The German Shepard is just under two years old and was introduced to the ECPD in February 2022. “We are so fortunate to have a K9 in our community,” said Lowrie in a statement. For those not familiar with the Ellwood City Municipal Women’s Club, it is a…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

TERRORISTIC THREATS: John Humensky, 52, of Ellwood City is charged with Terroristic Threats and Robbery after threatening to rob Ellwood City WesBanco Bank on February 9th forcing the branch to go on brief lockdown. According to the criminal complaint, and at approximately 9:45 a.m., a bank teller called police to report Humensky had walked into the bank and told her that he was thinking of robbing the bank. Humensky left on foot and was later located walking on Sixth Street and identified by police. When apprehended and interviewed by Ellwood City police, he was asked if he intended to rob…


A Beaver County Man Is Among Five Charged For Sexual Abuse of Children Across Pennsylvania

A 74-year-old Beaver County man and a 51-year-old Butler County man are among five men charged for the sexual assault and exploitation of children. Acting Attorney General Michelle Henry announced on Tuesday the filing of criminal charges against Raymond Shultz, Beaver County; Kevin Isovitsch, Butler County; Abimael Valentin-Matos, Lancaster County; Norman Aviles, Lancaster County; and Marc Brown, Allegheny County, for the sexual assault and exploitation of children. In each case, all of the defendants and their victims were members of Jehovah’s Witness congregations. These arrests follow charges filed against four other members of Jehovah’s Witness congregations in October 2022. “The…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT BY DECEPTION: On January 31st at approximately 3:17 p.m., PA State Police investigated a report of fraudulent bank activity. The 63-year-old female victim lives in Wayne Township, Lawrence County and claims that two bank transactions totaling $6,000.00 were made on her bank account with her permission. An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact PA State Police reference PA 2023-133176 SIMPLE ASSAULT: Dakota Litz, 20, of Ellwood City, is charged with Simple Assault and Harassment after an incident on February 2nd. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 2:18 a.m., Ellwood City Police were advised…


ECPD Provides Details On Homicide Investigation

In a press release made available the Ellwood City Police Department Tuesday morning, the ECPD provides details on the Monday afternoon shooting that left one person dead and one in critical condition. According to the release, and at approximately 5:18 p.m. on Monday, officers of the Ellwood City Police Department were dispatched to a shots fired call at 216 First Street. As Officers set up a perimeter around the apartment building they heard four to five gun shots. Officers ordered the shooter from the residence shortly thereafter via loud speaker. The shooter, 23-year-old Keegan Willis King, was taken into custody….


One Dead, One Injured In Monday Shooting

According to published reports, one woman is dead and another person is left in critical condition after a shooting late Monday afternoon in Ellwood City. The incident happened just after 5:00 p.m. near the 200 block of First Street, near its intersection with Fountain Avenue. After a strong police presence and shut downs of nearby roadways, police have a person in custody. Ellwood City Police were assisted by nearby and neighboring police departments to locate the suspect who was later apprehended. The suspect is expected to be arraigned Wednesday by Magisterial District Judge Jerry Cartwright. More information will be posted…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: Jason Mulig, 47, of Ellwood City is charged with Criminal Mischief and Public Drunkeness after an incident on November 6, 2022. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 3:27 p.m., police officers were dispatched to the area of First Street, near Keystone Bar, due to Mulig jumping onto a victim’s car and damaging the hood. Upon reviewing surveillance, it showed Mulig walking from across Fountain Avenue and jumping onto the hood of the vehicle causing $2,388.13 in damage and then finished what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage and threw it into the side of the building….