POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

ASSAULT:
On July 4th at approximately 9:15 p.m, PA State Police investigated the report of a fight between neighbors over fireworks at a residence on Railroad Avenue, Wayne Township. Three suspects have been charged including Mary Cruz, 46, of Youngstown, and a 16-year-old female from Youngstown.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT:
On August 28th at approximately 6:08 p.m., PA State Police, Shenango Township Police, and Hickory Township Police responded to the false report of a robbery at a residence on Ellwood Road, Slippery Rock Township. Upon investigation, it was determined that a juvenile had texted 911 as a joke.

THEFT BY DECEPTION/IMPERSONATION:
On August 16th at approximately 2:04 p.m., PA State Police New Castle investigated a report of theft from a residence in New Beaver Borough. According to the police report, a 48-year-old New Galilee victim sent intimate photographs to an online contact. The suspect contacted the male victim to demand payment in exchange for not forwarding those photographs to his workplace, for which the suspect provided via Amazon gift cards and PayPal payments totaling $1,000.00

HARASS PHYSICAL CONTACT:
On August 10th at approximately 6:25 p.m., PA State Police investigated a report of a domestic between a parent and a child at a residence on SR956, Wilmington Township, Lawrence County. Both parties, William Gillespie, 64, and 16-year-old male, both of New Castle,have been cited. On August 12th at approximately 2058 hours, a ChildLine report was submitted with Operator 372.

HARASSMENT:
On August 17th at approximately 1:07 a.m., PA State Police responded to a domestic altercation at a residence on Joseph Street, Wayne Township. Upon investigation, it was determined that a 37-year-old Wampum female had thrown objects at her husband, the 46-year-old male victim, including a beer bottle. The woman was charged with harassment and charges filed through Magisterial District Judge Cartwright offices.

HARASSMENT:
On September 3rd at approximately 12:44 p.m., PA State Police were dispatched to residence on Rod and Gun Dr., Little Beaver Twp., Lawrence County for a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival the Defendant, Michael Joseph McPherson was GOA. The victims advised that he got into a physical altercation with a 16 year old. When victims (grandparents) of the Defendant tried to break up the fight, the Defendant became physical with them. McPherson was charged with three counts of harassment.

SEXUAL ASSAULT:
Keshawn Christofferson-Gatto, 21, of Wright Avenue, is facing charges in connection with an incident that occurred around 11 p.m. May 15 at a home in Perry Township. According to a criminal complaint, it was reported Christofferson-Gatto sexually assaulted a 15-year- old girl. The person who reported the matter to the police learned of the assault during an argument with the girl and had taken her phone. The phone information revealed the girl and Christofferson-Gatto were communicating in it about their sexual relationship, the document states. During a forensic interview with the teens and with Christofferson-Gatto, they both reportedly admitted to police they had intimate encounters with each other, the report said. Christofferson-Gatto is charged with two counts of statutory sexual assault with a person four to eight years younger than him, and two counts of corruption of minors. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

THEFT ALL OTHER:
On July 28th, PA State Police New Castle investigated the report of a theft at residence on Volpes Way, Wayne Township. According to the report, an unknown suspect stole a generator valued at $289.00 off the front porch of the residence between 07:30 a.m. and noon. The 55-year-old male Ellwood City victim stated in the report that the generator had been there for several months.

BURGLARY RESIDENTIAL NO FORCE:
On July 17th, PA State Police Erie investigated the report of a burglary at a residence on Ellwood Road, Slippery Rock Township that may have taken place between the hours of 6:00 p.m. on July 16th and 7:00 p.m. on July 17th. According to the report, the 41-year-old victim from Ellwood City stated multiple opened bottles of alcohol left over from a party were stolen from a fridge above a detached garage at the residence. The value of items stolen is listed at $200.00

BURGLARY RESIDENTIAL FORCE:
Between May 28th at approximately 15:00 p.m. and June 1st at approximately 4:00 p.m., a 2001 Suzuki in make RM 125 in model, yellow in color dirt bike, worth approximately $2,500.00 USD, was taken from within the occupied garage located on Old State Road, Slippery Rock Township. Through the course of investigation, it was determined two juveniles were involved in this incident and both were arrested; however, the dirt bike was unable to be recovered. If there is any information on the whereabouts of this dirt bike, please contact PA State Police New Castle at 724-598-2211 and reference incident number: PA22-705772. Between the hours of 11:30 p.m. on May 31st and 6:15 a.m. on June 1st, a 2021 SSR in make, 140TR in model, red and black in color dirt bike, worth approximately $1,799.00 USD, was taken from within an occupied residence also located in Slippery Rock Township. Through the course of investigation, it was determined two of the same juveniles were involved in this incident, along with a third juvenile. All three juveniles, all three from New Castle, were arrested and this dirt bike was able to be recovered. PSP New Castle would like to remind you to keep your residences, garages, sheds, vehicles, belongings, ect. locked/secured, to the vigilant of your neighborhood in general, and if applicable to you, to employ the use of alarm systems, security systems, video recording systems, or another similar means of residence surveillance.

BURGLARY RESIDENTIAL NO FORCE:
On July 29th, PA Sate Police Erie investigated the report of a burglary at a residence on Ellwood Road. A 15-year-old juvenile suspect stole a firearm and other items from a 37-year-old victims residence. The suspect returned the items upon being confronted by the victim. Stolen property included a PMAG AR-15 Magazine, Wireless Headsets, Cigar, AR-15 Pistol, and 30 Rounds of 223 Cal Ammunition. Charges have been filed through Lawrence County Juvenile Probations.

CRASH SYNOPSIS:
An accident occurred on August 29th at approximately 8:49 p.m. on Ellwood Rd (RT-65) at its intersection with Frew Rd, Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County.The crash occurred as 200 Mazda Miata, driven by Linda Bernd, 65, of Ellwood City, was driving south on Ellwood Road and a 2019 Chevy Trax, driven by Donna Nagel, 91, of Wampum, was driving west on Frew Road, stopped at a stop sign. Nagel proceeded through the intersection without clearing traffic and was struck by Bernd. Both vehicles were disabled as a result of this crash. Nagel was not injured. Bernd and a front seat passenger of the Miata suffered head injuries of unknown severity striking the windshield. Assisted on scene by NOGA ambulance services, Shenango Township Police, Slipery Rock Township Volenteer Fire Depo, and Castle Towing.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF:
On September 4th at approximately 11:40 a.m., police responded to the report of a Criminal Mischief (smashed rear vehicle window) on Bridge Road, Wayne Township, Lawrence County. A 30-year-old female victim stated her rear vehicle window was smashed between the hours of 11:00 p.m. on September 3rd and 6:00 a.m. on September 4th. The 2006 Nissan Murano vehicle was parked in the driveway and sustained an esimated $500.00 in damages. The investigation is ongoing at this time.

CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE:
According to information presented to the US Distory Attorney Office and courts, Cadee Akins Jr., age 27, formerly of Beaver Falls, conspired with his father, Cadee Akins, Sr., and others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base. The investigation revealed that from November 2017 to September 2020, the defendant supplied other drug dealers with cocaine or personally distributed crack to end users in Beaver Falls. During two controlled-buy operations, the defendant was recorded on audio and video distributing crack. Additionally, during a July 2019 traffic stop, law enforcement seized two kilograms of cocaine from the defendant’s father, who transported cocaine to individuals within the conspiracy using rental vehicles. United States Attorney Chung commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Akins Jr.