Police and Fire

Council Promotes Ellwood City Police Officer to Sergeant

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to promote Ellwood City Police Officer Rob Magnifico to sergeant. Council had a choice to make in promoting one officer or two. Magnifico along with fellow Officer Matt Kennedy were the choices to fill the position. Councilman Caleb Cragle and Councilwoman Jan Williams voted to promote two officers but were met with opposition from the rest of council. Councilmen James Barry, Brad Ovial, and George Celli and Councilwomen Judith Dici and Michelle Lamenza voted to appoint one officer—Magnifico—to fill the role. Before the vote, Councilman Cragle asked Mayor Anthony Court, who heads the…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT: Micah Ndungu, 20, of Ellwood City, is charged with Theft and Receiving Stolen Property after an incident on July 23rd. According to the criminal complaint, Ellwood City Police were called to Fifth Street for a report of theft. The victim reported he was attempting to sell an iPhone 11 Pro on Facebook Marketplace for $400.00 and was meeting the purchasing party at McDonald’s. The victim stated that at approximately 9:13 p.m. the alleged purchaser of the phone grabbed it and ran away. Officers paroled the area but unable to locate the individual. After reviewing video surveillance from the incident,…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT: Kathleen Minerd, 31, of New Castle is charged with Retail Theft after an incident on July 27 at a Sheetz location on US Route 422, Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County. According to the report, and at approximately 11:37 p.m., police responded and after its investigation found Minerd stole several food/drink items from within the store, totaling $21.52 in lost product. Items included Dr. Pepper, Prairie City Cake Bar, two Nerds Cluster Candy, Reese’s Sticks, Peanut Butter & Honey Sandwich, Caramel Cremes, and Pepperoni Puffs. Minerd is charged with Retail Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, and Disorderly Conduct, and then incarcerated…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

BURGLARY: A 37-year-old man has been charged with burglary after an incident on June 28th in Wampum. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 11:53 a.m., police were dispatched to Wampum Park Housing complex for reports of burglary. Video surveillance shows Robert Grim arriving at the complex at approximately 2:03 a.m. and entering through a window located at the rear. A victim stated she woke up and discovered many things inside her apartment missing, namely her Xanax prescription, cash, and a debit card. The victim believes her son, Grim, was responsible for the burglary as he has stolen from…


U.S. Attorney Chung Announces HIDTA Designation for Lawrence County

United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced this week that Lawrence County has been officially designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy. Lawrence joins five other western Pennsylvania counties – Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, Westmoreland, and Erie – in receiving dedicated federal resources to coordinate federal, state, and local governments to fight drug trafficking and abuse. “Lawrence County citizens will benefit significantly from HIDTA designation and the critical resources and support that brings to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations,” said U.S. Attorney Chung. “We will use these…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: According to a police report, two unknown white males proceeded to operate a Farmall tractor with a brush hog attachment and mow approximately 1,000 feet of wooded area along private property lines at Del-Mar Golf Course in Wayne Township. The incident was reported to have taken place between the times of June 25th at midnight and June 26th at 9:53 a.m. While police were on scene, trail cameras were reviewed along with a neighbor canvassed none of which yielded with identifying the potential suspects. The investigation is ongoing. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: Three arrests were made stemming from an…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: An incident as reported that unknown actors(s) attempted to pry open a secured mailbox from the Ellwood Wampum Rod & Gun Club. The incident was reported to have happened between May 1 and June 14, 2022. During the attempt they did not steal any contents from the mailbox however it was damaged, valued at $200.00. No video surveillance cameras were observed on the exterior of the building. As a result no viable suspects can be identified at this time according to the police report. The investigation is ongoing. THEFT: PA State Police investigated reports of theft from a…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: On May 31, 2022 at approximately 1:47 a.m., police were searching an area for a group of males who attempted to break into a vehicle, and observed a blue Chrysler PT Cruiser make an abrupt turn down Petain Street from Jefferson Avenue. According to a criminal complaint, and upon following the vehicle, police observed a rear passenger exit the vehicle and begin to push the vehicle resulting in police initiating a traffic stop. The driver, Kortney May, had a warrant for her arrest and was placed under arrest. The rear passenger, Crystal Lemanski, 36 of Ellwood…


Former Wampum Man Pleads to Violating Federal Drug and Gun Laws

A former Wampum resident pleaded guilty in federal court to violating the federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced this week. Michael Turner, 49, formerly of Wampum, PA, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that beginning in 2019, agents with the FBI and other agencies investigated drug trafficking activity in Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood, and elsewhere. As part of that investigation, agents…


ECPD Completes Tactical Entry & Life Saving Measure Training

The Ellwood City Police Department would like to thank Samuel Teolis for allowing the use of a vacant structure to conduct a tactical entry and life saving measure training. On Thursday, June 9th, the Police Department, along with the Ellwood City Fire Department, utilized Mr. Teolis’s vacant structure to complete this training as a team to assist in keeping our tactics fresh. This training was completed in conjunction with the Ellwood City Fire Department, who provided first-hand knowledge in tactical medical assistance and preservation of life skills. The  Police Department would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Mayor…