Police: Police Raid House and Find 42 Sick Cats and Three Dead Cats

Cruelty to Animals

A Wayne Township woman was charged with cruelty to animals following a search of her residence on West Lawrence Avenue. Throughout May, the Wayne Township Animal Control Officer investigated Delores Esther Conley’s residence and viewed several cats that were visibly sick and needed treated or euthanized. After the defendant took no action, Lawrence County officers executed a search warrant and removed 42 live cats and three deceased cats. Conley admitted that the cats had not been to a veterinarian since 2006, and she was unable to provide care for them. She was also unaware how many cats she had and that some of the cats were deceased and decomposed. Conley was charged with a misdemeanor offense of cruelty to animals and two summary offenses of cruelty to animals.

Stranger Eating Chinese Food in Bedroom

According to the criminal complaint, on June 22 at approximately 8 p.m., police responded to a trespassing report on Beaver Avenue. The victim informed officers that an unknown woman was sitting in her son’s bedroom eating Chinese food. Officers identified the defendant as Deirdre Beth Whitehead, 43, of Zelienople, who was under the influence. Whitehead was charged with trespassing and public drunkenness.

Retail Theft

According to the criminal complaint, on June 8 at 1:30 p.m., officers responded to a retail theft at Loccisano’s Golden Dawn on 234 Pittsburgh Circle. Store managers identified the defendant as Melissa Star Sabo, 35, of Ellwood City, who had been in the store for 45 minutes without a cart and didn’t purchase anything. Sabo eventually purchased milk but video surveillance showed her conceal items in her hoodie. Officers located Sabo and retrieved a package of Blistex Kanka Mouth Pain Liquid at a value of $6.07. She was charged with two counts of retail theft. Because of previous offenses, both charges are third degree felonies.

Possession of Marijuana

According to the criminal complaint, on June 19 at approximately 12:30 p.m., officers pulled a vehicle over at the intersection of Pershing and Loop Street for failing to make a complete stop at a stop sign. The driver was identified as Aaron Travis-James Miller, 19, of Beaver Falls. The officer observed marijuana buds in plain view. Miller was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, driving without a license and failing to stop at a stop sign.