POLICE REPORTS: Criminal Complaints

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

Krista Knechtel, 40, of Ellwood City, is charged with Retail Theft after police were called to Dollar General on Wednesday, November 4. Upon arrival, police were advised by the store clerk and later identified Knechtel leading to police finding two packs of beef jerky, a pack of Kraft Cheese, a candle, a chocolate bar, and a pack of makeup totaling $20.51 in her purse.  Knechtel was released and charges will be filed upon criminal history check. Store clerk will review video footage and provide police footage of the incident.

Steven Barr, 34, of Ellwood City is charged with Simple Assault and Disorderly Conduct after a domestic dispute in November. According to the report, the victim the police that Barr, heavily intoxicated, threw his phone into a mirror, breaking the mirror, and later punched out stair railings in the house breaking his hand. Once Barr was placed in handcuffs he lunged towards the victim and baby and continued to antagonize police and the victim. A warrant search revealed a Bench Warrant for Barr in Mercer County and one out of Ohio.

Richard Mengel, 45, of Ellwood City, is charged with Simple Assault and Harassment after domestic dispute on November 15th. According to the report, at approximately 6:34 p.m. police were called to Wayne Avenue residence where Mengel became confrontational with police and attempting to deny police the opportunity to talk to his girlfriend. The victim later related that Mengel punched and choked her causing her to fall and injure her leg near the Koppel Bridge. Later in the same night the two returned to a hotel room where Mengel choked her, knocked her down and dumped beer on her before she was able to escape to call police.

Jerry McPherson, 55, Enon Valley, is charged with Unauthorized Use of Automobiles and Driving With Suspended or Revoked License after police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle on October 20.  According to the report, at approximately :30 p.m. police arrived to the McPherson residence and interviewed the complainants who related McPherson never had permission to use his truck and later learned McPherson had been arrested for suspicion of DUI in the state of Ohio. Police could not locate McPherson throughout the course of their interviews and investigation and upon follow-up found the truck was not returned until October 27.

Joshua Naglich, 23, of Ellwood City, is charged with Careless Driving, Accident Involving Damage to Attended Vehicle, and Criminal Mischief after a hit and run accident on October 31. According to the report, at approximately 7:05 p.m. police responded to a report of a hit and run near the 100 block of 5th Street, Ellwood City. Police were informed the defendent fled the scene in his Orange Jeep Renegade, being followed by the victim, and later fled on foot near the 800 block of 5th Street where police were later able to locate Naglich and place him under arrest.

Autumn Barber, 20, of New Castle, is charged with Driving Under the Influence, Careless Driving, after a traffic stop on November 19. According to the report, at approximately 1:15 a.m. police received a call from a complainent who had witnessed the suspect vehicle, driving at a high rate of speed on Route 65, failing to maintain a single lane of travel. Responding police later located Barber in a Dollar General parking lot on Woodside Avenue, Ellwood City, which was closed at the time of report. Police then followed the suspect vehicle, later initiating a traffic stop. Barber failed her field sobriety test and was transported to UPMC Jameson for a blood draw later showing BAC of .230%