POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

MISSING PERSON:
Pennsylvania State Police received reports of a missing person on December 29, 2021. It is reported Lauren Cortez, 32, of New Castle, had left her residence with a known male on December 28th at approximately 4:45 p.m. and last spoke with her parents at 7:35 p.m. relating she was traveling to College Hill in Beaver Falls with the known male and two unknown males. No contact with Cortez has been made since. Cortez is a white female, 5’1″ and 125 lbs with red or auburn hair, and green eyes. She was last seen wearing gray leggings, gray Echo Printed hoodie and gray Ugg boots. If Cortez is seen or contact is made, it is asked to contact PA State Police New Castle at 724-598-2211.

DUI/FLEEING POLICE:
According to a criminal complaint, and on December 14th, Joseph Polansky, 37, of Ellwood City, was placed under arrest for Driving Under the Influence, Fleeing a Police Officer, and Driving While Privilege is Suspended (DUI related). Polanksy was signaled by police to pull over but did not do so and continue to drive until he parked and began to walk towards his residence. Officer Kennedy yelled to Polansky to stop walking and put his hands up. Polansky stopped and was asked why he did failed to stop his vehicle. Polanksy claimed he didn’t know why he was being pulled over and did not see the police lights. Upon questioning, Polanksy appeared to be highly intoxicated, he performed the field sobriety tests and failed. Polanksy was placed into custody and then transported to ECPD.

FLEEING POLICE/CARELESS DRIVING:
According to a criminal complaint, and on December 15th, Joshua Clemmer, 23, of New Castle, was charged with Fleeing a Police Officer and Careless Driving. After it was suspected that there may be criminal activity near the area of Loop Street in Ellwood City, officers followed Clemmer’s vehicle. Clemmer failed to stop at a posted stop sign and the police lights were activated signaling Clemmer to pull over. Clemmer failed to pull over and continued to run through stop lights and signs and caused damage to property on Orchard and Hazel Avenues. After Clemmer’s vehicle finally parked, he took off on foot from he vehicle. Clemmer’s brother was put in restraints and then transported to ECPD where he was questioned on why his brother failed to stop when signaled to do so. Clemmer’s brother admitted that the reason his brother didn’t stop was because he did not have a valid drivers license. Officers released Clemmer’s brother and advised him to speak with his brother and tell him to turn himself in due to the warrant issued for his arrest.

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA:
According to a criminal complaint, and on December 13th, Jamie Gilmore, 45, of New Castle, was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Officers were dispatched to Jefferson Street after a call came through about two females fighting in an alley. Upon arriving on the scene, Gilmore was found to the only person there, she was questioned through NCIC and an arrest warrant for retail theft was made apparent. Gilmore was then detained until the warrant. During the pat down, Gilmore admitted to having a needle in her purse. After searching the bag, no needle was found, a broken glass for smoking was found however. Gilmore was then transported to PSP New Castle and was processed for the drug paraphanelia charge.

FALSE IDENTIFICATION TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER:
According to a criminal complaint, and on December 10th, Ronelle Navolio, 47, of Ellwood City, was charged with False Identification to a Law Enforcement Officer. Officers stopped Donald Monroe and Rony Nicole Lacava after the bike they were failed to signal a left turn and was traveling down the middle of the road. Monroe told officers that the two of them were riding on a bike to Koppel because they did not own a car. Officers ran both Monroe’s and Lacava’s information, Monroe had two active warrants while no information was able to be found on Lacava. Monroe was then placed into custody and then the bike was searched. It was then discovered that Lacava knowingly and intentionally provided Officers with the wrong name, she was identified as Ronelle Nicole Navolio, Navolio was then placed in custody for providing false id to a Law Enforcement Officer. Both parties were taken back to ECPD. Both parties were searched and questioned and then were released and advised of the pending charges.

OUTSTANDING WARRANT:
According to a criminal complaint, and on December 10th, MaryAnn Coates, 58, of Pine Grove, was arrested after a short pursuit in Ellwood City and a traffic stop near Woodside Avenue found Coates falsely identified herself and was found to have several warrants out for her arrest. Passenger Amanda Keller, 34, of New Castle, was found to be in possession of marijuana and a search of the vehicle later found additional drug paraphernalia and suspected heroin and crack cocaine. Coates is charged with False Identification to Law Enforcement, Driving With Suspended License, and Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Keller is charged with Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.