POLICE: Criminal Complaints

The following are police criminal complaints filed at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Lawrence County office of Honorable Jerry G. Cartwright.

According to a criminal complaint, a series of fraudulent activities resulted in charges of identity theft and receiving stolen property. State police were notified of the activities that took place on the victims debit card while the victim was hospitalized between the dates of December 7 and December 16, 2019. The charges totaled $2,324.54 from various locations. Video surveillance at these locations showed Richard Worrell, 29, of Ellwood City, and Amy Marie Crespo, 33, of New Castle, using the victim’s credit card. On January 29, 2020 Worrell came to police for questioning when at that time he stated that Crespo used the victim’s credit card as well. Crespo and Worrell are both charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking, Receiving Stolen Property, Access Device Fraud, Identity Theft, and Criminal Conspiracy.

According to a criminal complaint, on February 6, Pennsylvania State Police responded to Little Beaver Township residence for a report for a stolen vehicle. Jerry McPherson, 55, of Sharon, stole keys to his father’s vehicle while his father was asleep.  McPherson stole the Chevrolet Tracker and attempted to exit the driveway, but rolled the vehicle on the road. A neighbor called police whom, upon arriving, determined McPherson’s license to be suspended. McPherson is charged with Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Criminal Mischief, Unauthorized Use of Automobile, Driving While Operating Privilege Suspended, and Reckless Driving.

According to a criminal complaint, on December 10, 2019, at approximately 1:00 a.m. Pennsylvania State Police observed a passing vehicle on Portersville Road (RT-488) with an improperly illuminated registration plate. Police behind to follow the vehicle heading west and, after failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign on Portersville Road, initiated a traffic stop. The responding officer immediately detected the odor of marijuana emanating about the vehicle leading police to search each occupant of the vehicle. Before passenger Joshua Baney, 23, of Ellwood City, exited the vehicle his relinquished a vaporizer device containing suspected THC residue. Police later discovered the following: a purple grinder containing suspected marijuana, two cartridges containing suspected THC liquid, and a suspected small amount of marijuana belonging to passenger Aleigha Myers, 27, of Ellwood City. Baney and Myers are both charged with Possession of Controlled Substance and Disorderly Conduct.

Eric Conley, 40, of Beaver Falls, is charged with DUI after police conducted a field sobriety test after responding to a vehicle crash on January 4, 2020. The accident took place on Vine Street in Enon Valley at approximately 10:00 p.m. and responding officers found Conley to be combative and argumentative.  Conley was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI and placed into custody. While in a patrol car, Conel became verbally aggressive on his way to his blood draw. Conley blood alcohol concentration was later reported at .143.

Tafford Couch, 39, of Ellwood City, is charged with DUI after a one-vehicle accident on Route 65 in Wayne Township on January 24. The accident took place at approximately 7:10 p.m. near Eidenmiller Road after Couch lost control navigating a curve.  Responding officers administered a field sobriety test for which Couch failed and placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI. During the investigation it was discovered that neither Couch or his passenger were wearing seat belts. Couch had a reported blood alcohol concentration of .284.  Couch is also charged with Reckless Driving and Occupant Protection.

Darin Hoak, 56, of Ellwood City, is charged with DUI after a one-vehicle accident on River Road in Perry Township on January 17.  The accident took place at approximately 3:35 p.m. when the operating vehicle made contact with a tree. Responding police officers administered a field sobriety test for which Hoak failed and was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI. Police also observed several beer cans and bottles to be open laying on the driver-side floor and backseat floor. Hoak had a reported blood alcohol concentration of .136.

Nikki Klingensmith, is charged with DUI after a traffic stop on January 6, 2020 at approximately 2:23 a.m. Police observed the vehicle with a non-working headlamp and conducted a traffic stop and ensuing field sobriety test for which Klingensmith failed. Police also observed within plain view, a grinder, purple in color, containing suspected marijuana residue, near the driver’s side of the vehicle. A chemical blood test result later showed positive for THC, cocaine, and Benzoylecgonine.

Amber Perrine, 24, of Ellwood City, is charged with possession of controlled substance after a traffic stop was conduced in the parking lot of Seven Eleven convenience store on January 4, 2020 led police to find active warrants for Perrine and her passenger. Police took Perrine into custody and searched Perrine and her vehicle. Police observed a syringe in plain view on the drivers side seat and resulting search located multiple used syringes and a digital weigh scale containing meth residue.