POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF:
On March 15, at approximately 5:05 p.m., PA State Police were dispatched to a residence on Park Drive, Wampum Borough, Lawrence County to investigate a report of criminal mischief. According to the report, an unknown actor(s) damaged a door hinge on a tool shed at the Wampum Park. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact PA State Police New Castle Barracks at 724-598-2211.

CRIMINAL TRESPASSING:
Colleen Sterrett, 27, of Brackenridge, PA, is charged with Criminal Trespassing after an incident reported on March 4th. According to the criminal complaint, police were dispatched to a residence on Muddy Creek Tr., Slippery Rock Township, where a victim related that a neighbor reported Sterett was residing at the victim’s residence. The victim was currently in Florida at a winter home and related her niece, Sterrett, was not permitted to be on the property. When police made contact with Sterrett she related that her aunt had unlocked the door for her to enter but the aunt denied unlocking any doors and that Sterrett has no key for the residence.

ARSON FIRE:
On February 19th at approximately 7:04 p.m., PA State Police were dispatched to 1510 West Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City to investigate a vehicle fire involving a black Jeep, unknown year and model. If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact PA State Police. The incident is still under investigation.

THEFT:
Torrie McDade, 32, of New Brighton, is charged with Retail Theft after an incident at Dollar General on March 12. According to the criminal complaint, at approximately 11:55 a.m. police identified McDade from store surveillance footage from the previous day taking several items without paying. Items included cleansing pads, hand soaps, body wash, toothbrush, an a tablecloth totaling $34.00 of stolen merchandise. Based on criminal history this would make the tenth retail theft offense for McDade causing this occurrence to be a Felony Offense.

THEFT:
A 58-year-old female from New Castle was a victim of theft by deception after she received text messages from an unknown number between the timeframe of January 27 and March 14, 2022 at her residence in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County. According to the police report, the victim proceeded to research the company that was listed in the text messages and discovered a company in Florida during which she contacted. Upon making contact with the company, she proceeded to give them her biographical information and as a result a loan for approximately $20,833.00 was opened in her name. This investigation is ongoing.

THEFT:
An incident occured on March 6th at approximately 11:11 a.m. where an unknown actor(s) removed $7,000.00 for a 22-year-old Enon Valley victim’s checking account. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the PA State Police New Castle Barracks at 724-598-2211.

THEFT:
An incident occurred between March 11th at noon and March 13th at 9:53 a.m. where an unknown actor(s) proceeded to steal the identity and bank information of a 44-year-old Enon Valley male, making fraudulent purchases on his behalf. The fraudulent purchases totaled approximately $1,090.90. The victim was advised to contact his bank to dispute the transactions so they can refund his money. This investigation is ongoing.

THEFT:
An incident occurred on March 8th between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. where a 73-year-old Volant man received a phone call from an unknown number and proceeded to withdraw cash and buy gift cards. The victim then proceeded to provide the unknown caller with the gift card numbers during which he was scammed. According to the public information report, this investigation will be closed due to lack of leads.

DUI:
Russel Ruby, 65, of Portersville is charged with DUI after an incident reported in December 2021 where police were dispatched to a person laying in a ditch on the side of Fairview School Road in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County. Upon police arrival, a 1997 Ford Ranger was found parked partially on the roadway in an intersection. Police later located Ruby walking down the road and he attempted to evade police. Ruby related he was just trying to get home but displayed signs of impairment. Ruby was placed into custody and found to be in possession of marijuana. He was transported to a nearby hospital for a blood draw.

DUI:
Aaron Rachuba, 25, of Ellwood City, is charged with DUI after police responded to a one-vehicle crash on Ellwood Road on February 18th. According the criminal complaint, the unit then struck a guide rail after overturning where it came to a final rest. At approximately 1:48 a.m. police made contact with Rachuba in the rear of an ambulance where they detected a strong odor of alcohol and asked Rachuba about the accident. Due to his high level of intoxication, police followed the ambulance to a nearby hospital to follow up their interview. He later related he swerved to miss a deer and hit ice. Rachuba agreed to submit a blood draw.

DUI:
Jennifer Brown, 41, of Wampum, is charged with DUI after a traffic stop on February 18th. According to a criminal complaint, police were monitoring traffic on Portersville Road when, at approximately 1:06 a.m., they observed a 2004 Saturn traveling with no exterior lamps illuminated. Police conducted a traffic stop near Golf Avenue and found Brown to be disoriented and confused about where she was. Police also observed markings, cuts, and blood on the defendants hands and arms. Brown refused to take a field sobriety test and was transported to ECPD. At the station Brown was found unresponsive, snoring in the rear of the police cruiser and police did not feel it was safe for Brown to attempt a field sobriety test. Brown later refused a blood draw.

DUI:
Devin Bookamer, 23, of Ellwood Ciy, is charged with DUI after a hit and run incident on February 19th. According to the criminal complain, at approximately 12:45 a.m. police were dispatched to Lawrence Avenue for an accident report where the victim related a black Dodge Charger has swiped her car and drove off. Police later located the vehicle traveling north on 5th Street and proceeded to follow. The vehicle swerved and crossed the double yellow line and police later conducted a traffic stop in the 7-Eleven parking lot. Police made contact with the driver, Bookamer, and was found to be confused with slurred speech and an odor of alcohol coming from his breath. Bookamer failed his field sobriety test and was placed under arrest.