POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT:
New Castle Police is investigating a report of identity theft in Wayne Township from July 13th. The victim was advised by his employer that they had received a notification that he had applied for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. However, he made no such claims. New Castle would like to remind everyone to use sound judgement when divulging personal or financial information. Actively monitor your credit report to look for inconsistencies or suspicious activity. Additionally, please visit www.uc.pa.gov to commence a claim for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Fraud.

THEFT:
New Castle Police was contacted on July 13th to a victim in the New Beaver Boro after someone had attempted to file unemployment with the victims’ name. The victim related she was retired from Seneca Valley School District and had received a call relating that an unknown individual was attempting to file unemployment with the victims name. The request filed for unemployment was stopped by the employer. Reports have been filed to the Pennsylvania Unemployment Office. No money was ever provided to the actor (s).

THEFT:
Leanne Smith, 18 of New Galilee was charged with Theft after she had made several purchases via CashApp knowing that the credit card she used was not hers. Smith had stolen the card from her grandmother who is her legal guardian. Smiths’ grandmother had related that her granddaughter had taken things out of her bedroom in the past so she put a padlock on her door. Smiths’ grandmother noticed several charges on her bank statement. The charges totaled $525.00 and were all listed under CashApp. Smiths’ grandmother hosts weekly card games and leaves her purse in the living room. It was believed that Smith had copied the card information when she wasn’t looking. Officers then interviewed Smith at her school, she admitted to taking the card during one of the card games and using it to make purchases via CashApp.

SHOPLIFTING:
PSP New Castle was dispatched to Sheetz in Slippery Rock Township on June 30th in relation to a theft incident that had occurred the day before. The manager showed CCTV footage of a Hispanic, middle aged male, that had taken items off of the shelf and left without paying. The suspect was tracked down and brought back to Sheetz, the stolen item was paid for and charges were pursued.

DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, SIMPLE ASSAULT, HARASSMENT:
Officers were dispatched on July 3rd to a domestic on Wampum Avenue. The reporting party had stated that her boyfriend, Jason Fotia, age 35 of Ellwood City, had gotten into an argument over pills that Fotia was selling and he chased her out of the house and into the alley. The victim stated that two neighbors had heard the commotion and separated Fotia from the victim. Officers then entered the house where they saw Fotia sitting on the couch. While speaking with Fotia, several pieces of marijuana were laying on the coffee table along with pieces in a Cool Whip container. Fotia related that in another container there was a pound of weed that he did not get from the dispensary. The victim then related that Fotia had at least 500 Xanax pills and that was what started their fight. The victim voluntarily searched the home for the pills and brought them to the Officers. After searching through the home, Fotia was put into custody and all paraphernalia was seized.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF:
Joshua Bartley, 40 of New Castle, was charged with Criminal Mischief including Damaging Property and Graffiti after an incident to a home on Hogue Road in the Slippery Rock Township. The victim related that Bartley had destroyed her landscaping, flower pots, garden, items inside her garage and sprayed graffiti in the garage. As it appeared, Bartley had forcefully entered through the front door, broke several items inside the residence and stole her mothers urn with the remains. Officers then spoke with Bartley where he stated that he went into the residence to gather his belongings and did damage several items inside and outside of the house. He also related that he did move the urn from the residence to the garage but did not take it.

UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE:
On June 29th, Officers were dispatched to a domestic incident on Orchard Avenue. Prior to the arrival, it was related to the Officers that Matthew Webb, 26 of Ellwood City, had taken his sisters’ car and left. Upon arrival, the Officers’ spoke with Webb’s mother and related that her son had been arguing with his girlfriend. She also related to Officers that he does not have a valid drivers license and the vehicle he was in was not legal to drive. The owner of the vehicle asked that charges were filed. Officers were then again contacted later that night by Webbs’ mother and sister that they had found the vehicle in New Castle that it was being towed home. Mr.Webb was then taken into custody where the vehicle was located.

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT:
Beaver State Police responded to a motor vehicle accident in Brighton Township on July 12th. The crash occurred when a 2019 Nissan Altima was traveling Interstate 376 and the driver lost control of the vehicle on the wet roadway. The vehicle entered into a spin, crossed over the left lane and struck a guide rail. The vehicle came to a stop against the guide wire and sustained disabling damage as a result. The driver was wearing a seat belt at the time and reported no injuries.

DUI:
Jeffrey Ierino, age 46 from New Castle was charged with Driving Under the Influence June 27th on North Street. Officers pulled Ierino and upon making contact, Officers noticed a white powdery substance around he tip of Ierinos’ nose. After failing the field sobriety exams, Ierino was placed into custody for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence. He was then transported to ECPD.

Veronica Passarello, age 53 of West Pittsburgh, was charged with Driving Under the Influence in New Castle. Passarello was pulled over failing to signal a left hand turn. Upon the officers’ arrival, Passarello was reported to have bloodshot eyes and droopy eyelids. It was also related that Passarello was driving with a suspended license and the only reason she was driving was to go pick up drugs. After showing signs of impairment on the sobriety tests, Passarello was arrested for Driving Under the Influence.

Sanaz Colich, age 35 of New Castle, was charged with Driving Under the Influence in New Castle. The officer initiated a traffic stop after noticing an expired inspection sticker. Upon contact with Colich, it was observed that she was very sweaty and her speech was slurred. After showing multiple signs of impairment on the sobriety tests, Colich was informed that she was under arrest for Driving Under the Influence.