POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY:
On January 15th, an unknown actor attempted to make entry into a garage located on Ellwood Road, Slippery Rock Township. The unknown actor damaged a screen in the side window when attempting to make entry into the garage. The actor was unsuccessful and then left the scene on foot. Footprints were observed in the snow approaching the property from the north and were observed approaching each exterior window of the garage i an attempt to make entry. Video surveillance was recovered from the scene. The unknown actor was observed to be dressed in all black, wearing a black coat and hat. The investigation is on going, reference related incident PA23-62618 (Theft)

DISORDERLY CONDUCT:
On January 6th police while on routine patrol conducted a traffic stop in the rea of East Long Avenue, New Castle City for an expired inspection tag. When police approached the vehicle, the driver, Justin Thomason, 39, related he did not have a license and was transporting the vehicle to a friends house and was found to have a warrant out of Lawrence County for driving without a license. Police asked and obtained consent to search the vehicle and also asked a passenger, Victor Bailey, 21, of Wampum, to exit the vehicle. Bailey was observed to have a clear baggie containing suspected marijuana in his possession along with a suspected smoking device. Bailey is charged with Disorderly Conduct for obsence language or gestures and Possession of Marijuana.

ASSAULT:
Janice Cercone, 41, of Hubbard, OH, is charged with Aggravated Assault after an incident on January 3, 2023. According to the criminal complaint, and at approximately 10:16 p.m., police were dispatched to Fredericks Mobile Home Park, New Beaver Township for a reported assault. Upon arrival, police made contact with a victim and observed signs of recent bodily injuries to her head and face. The victim and victim’s significant other both identified Cercone, whom had been living at the residence. The victim’s significant other related that he witnessed Cercone on top of the victim, striking her in the head and face and attempted to stop the assault. Upon search incident to arrest, two (2) grams of a chunk white rock powder substance, was located in Cercone’s purse. The victim was later interviewed after her surgery as a result of the assault and records were obtained from the hospital. Cercone is charged with Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Harassment, and Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

BURGLARY:
Waddy Moses, 63, of New Castle, is charged with Burglary and Theft by Unlawful Taking after an incident on January 3rd. According to the criminal complaint, and at approximately 6:23 p.m., police were dispatched a residence on Second Street, Ellwood City, for a theft. The caller had stated her ex-husband stole a lamp and her sons X-Box from her residence. The victim related she had to leave for work one day and thought Moses had left the area once she had left for work and came home to the missing items. A neighbor’s video surveillance shows Moses re-enter the residence through a window and later exit the garage with suspected bags of items of stolen goods. The victim reach Moses to request a return of the items, but have not been able to reach Moses.

DUI:
Chat Motter, 45, of Ellwood City, is charged with DUI after a traffic stop on January 9th. According to the criminal complaint, and at approximately 1:35 a.m., police patrolling near Fountain Avenue and Sims Street Bridge observed a vehicle swerve into oncoming traffic near Beatty Street and later nearly strike a vehicle on Pershing Street. A traffic stop was conducted and police observed Motter to have slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, stating “I’ll admit, I’m drunk”. Police asked Motter to exit the vehicle and conduct a field sobriety test for which he failed. Motter was transported to ECPD and later a nearby hospital for blood draw.

DUI:
Anthony Agostinelli, 52, of Ellwood City, is charged with DUI after motor vehicle accident on January 9th. According to the criminal complaint, police were dispatched to the area of Woodside Avenue and Wilson Street for a reported accident. Police found the operator of the vehicle walking north on State Route 65, later identified as Agostinelli. Agostinelli stated he wrecked his vehicle and that his mother was on the way to pick him up. Police observed a small laceration on his nose and noted pinpointed pupils. Agostinelli was handcuffed for suspicion of DUI and transported to ECPD where he was further searched and found to be in possession of a lighter, plastic straw with residue, pen with burnt residue, glass smoking pipe with residue. Police administered a field sobriety test for which Agostinelli failed. He was transported to a nearby hospital for a blood draw.

DUI:
Chad Weingartner, 47, of New Castle is charged with DUI after a traffic stop on January 1st. According to the criminal complaint, and at approximately 2:25 a.m., police while on routine patrol began following a Silver Chevy Silverado traveling south on Route 65 and observed the vehicle to touch the center line and drift to the right. A traffic stop was initiated and the operated, Weingartner, related with slurred speech he drank ‘6 to 8 beers, something like that.’ Police observed his eyes to be bloodshot and glossy and a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath. Police administered a field sobriety test for which he failed and was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI and transported to a nearby hospital for a blood draw.