POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT:
Devin Brandon, 35, of Ellwood City, is charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking and Theft by Deception after an incident reported on March 6th. According to a criminal complaint, a victim reported a theft that occurred at a residence on Wampum Avenue whereas the victim reported to have hired Brandon to complete work on his truck and Harley Davidson and paid Brandon up front for parts before completing the work. The victim stated that over the span of months that Brandon would never provide an update on the status of the work. Police have worked a previous case involving Brandon with the same issues. Police have made several attempts to speak with Brandon regarding the matter. Theft charges have been filed against Brandon.

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT:
According to a criminal complaint, and on Monday, March 27th, police on patrol in the area of Lawrence Avenue near Fourth Street observed a green ATV carrying two passengers on railroad tracks near Beaver Avenue. After attempting to initiate a traffic stop, the ATV accelerated to evade the responding officer. Police later learned of two persons who were on the ATV and obtain a statement from the female passenger in which she explained when the ATV driven by Joshua Hall, 34, of Ellwood City saw the officer hit the siren, that he took off down the tracks and later slid sideways and rolled the quad over on to both parties, Hall got the quad off of him and ran down the tracks. The female also related that Hall took off on foot because he had narcotics on him. Officers walked to an area the female described to check on Hall’s wellbeing, but were unable to locate him. According to the complaint, Hall is charged with Recklessly Endangering Another Person and Fleeing to Elude Officers.

DUI:
Teresa Shoup, 59, of Portersville, is charged with DUI after an incident on March 26th. According to the criminal complaint, and at approximately 3:24 p.m., police received a call for an intoxicated individual who entered a Kia Soul near Glen Avenue where the vehicle went onto the sidewalk and later went thru a stop sign near Marshall Funeral Home. Police later located the vehicle and make contact with the driver, Shoup, who was found to be intoxicated. Police observed on the floorboard of the vehicle numerous empty miniature bottles of vodka and several unopened cans of twisted tea on the passenger side floor as well as multiple single shot bottles in a bag in plain view. Due to the observed high level of impairment, officers felt that Shoup was unable to perform a field sobriety test and Shoup was placed under arrest and transported to ECPD and later a hospital for a blood draw.

THEFT ALL OTHER:
On March 30th at approximately 2:40 p.m., PSP New Castle was dispatched to a residence on Squaw Run Road, Slippery Rock Township for a theft/fraud/forgery. Upon investigation, it was determined that a 66-year-old female victim from Ellwood City had her social security number used fraudulently to obtain a credit card under her name. The incident was reported to the Social Security office and Macy’s department store.

ACCIDENT:
On March 31st at approximately 5:23 p.m., PA State Police were dispatched to a one vehicle crash on River Road new Canal Street, Wayne Township. According to the police report, it was determined a Honda Civic, driven by Charles Snodgrass, 38, of New Castle, was traveling northbound on River Road when it lost control and exited the roadway. The vehicle struck a traffic sign, and an embankment causing the vehicle to go airborne before impacting a ditch causing the vehicle to overturn. Snodgrass was able to exit the vehicle without injury. Snodgrass was cited for driving at unsafe speeds.

USE/POSSESSION:
According to a criminal complaint, and after a traffic stop was initiated in the B&B Express gas station parking lot due to lack of valid inspection sticker, police made contact with Celia Nunnery, 37, of Ellwood City, with an odor of marijuana emanating from the passenger side of her black Honda coupe. Nunnery related she had a medical marijuana card. Police asked Nunnery to exit the vehicle and for consent to search where they discovered a clear plastic bag containing the suspected marijuana underneath the passenger seat of the vehicle as well as two glass smoking devices containing suspected burnt marijuana. Items were seized for evidentiary purposes. Nunnery is charged with Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Operating Vehicle Without Valid Inspection, and Disorderly Conduct.

CRIMINAL HOMICIDE:
On Monday, March 20th, at approximately 3:15 p.m., PSP Butler was dispatched to a shooting incident in the area of North Washington Rodeo Grounds, Butler County. It was determined through the investigation that the incident occurred at a residence on Kohlmeyer Road, Venango Township. According to the police report, and after an argument, the female suspect shot the male victim. After the shooting, the suspect drove herself and the victim to the Rodeo Grounds, where 911 was called. Troopers and EMS arrived at the location where the victim was pronounced deceased. SR 38 was briefly closed while the investigation was conducted. The female suspect was taken into custody as the investigation continued. The female suspect is identified as Jessica L. Callahan, of Hillards, PA. She was arrested and charged with Criminal Homicide and is currently in Butler County Jail. The male victim was identified as Tyler J. Whitlatch of West Sunbury PA.