POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

HARRASSMENT:
On May 1st at approximately 12:31 a.m., PA State Police New Castle responded to an active domestic at the 440 block of Pittsburgh Road, Wayne Township, Lawrence County. Ian Colombo, 34, of Wayne Township, was cited with summary harassment in relation to the incident with the 33-year-old female victim.

THEFT:
On May 3rd at approximately 11:44 a.m., PA State Police investigated the report of fraudulent activity on a bank account of a 69-year-old Enon Valley man. The victim related that since June 2022 that approximately $47,000 was withdrawn/transferred from his bank account under false pretenses. According to the police report, the victim was led to believe that he was the winner of a lottery drawing. An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call PA State Police New Castle and reference incident number PA 2023-572819.

ALCOHOL BUY/TRANSPORT:
On April 30th at approximately 6:42 p.m., PA State Police conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Oswald Street and Chew Street, Wayne Township to find a 17-year-old male to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and alcohol. Charges to be filed through Lawrence County Juvenile Probation.

BURGLARY:
On March 20th at approximately 10:30 p.m., PA State Police were dispatched to a residence on Morrison Avenue, Perry Township, Lawrence County due to a burglary. According to the police report, a 83-year-old female victim from Ellwood City related a known area female gained access to her residence and stole her purse. Charges are pending against a 59-year-old female from Ellwood City.  Theft is reported to be a purse valued at $25.00 and cash valued at $500.00.

OVERDOSE:
On April 29th at approximately 6:46 p.m., PA State Police New Castle investigated a reported overdose at a residence on Spring Avenue Extension, Wayne Township, Lawrence County. According to the report, Ellwood City VFD personnel successfully revived one unconscious 53-year-old male using Narcan. The Ellwood City victim refused transport to the hospital. Per Pennsylvania Good Samaritan Law, this incident will not be prosecuted.

EVADING ARREST:
Shawn Patrick Johnson Jr., 33, of Ellwood City, faces four charges in Venango County following an incident on April 27th. According to the criminal complaint, on April 27 at 7:47 a.m., State Police in Franklin were dispatched to a location on Deckards Run Road in Canal Township for a report of a possible overdose. Troopers arrived on the scene and observed the man, later identified as Johnson inside a vehicle and slumped over. Upon awakening Johnson, he indicated that he was not overdosing, but had a bad argument with his girlfriend earlier in the morning which is why he was sleeping in his vehicle. Upon verification of his identity, it was discovered that he had an active arrest warrant in Beaver County. When police asked Johnson to exit the vehicle, he slowly exited the vehicle and then immediately attempted to flee on foot. Police were able to tackle Johnson to the ground and place him under arrest. Johnson physically resisted for several minutes and refused to comply with verbal commands, all the while multiple taser deployments were given and OC spray was used with little to no effect, according to the complaint. During the struggle with police, a black Sig Sauer .40 caliber pistol was observed on Johnson’s person in his pants pocket and police were eventually able to gain control over Johnson and placed him into custody, according to the complaint.

Johnson faces the following charges:

– Flight to Avoid Apprehension/Trial/Punishment, Felony 3
– Firearms Not to Be Carried Without License, Felony 3
– Resist Arrest/Other Law Enforcement, Misdemeanor 2 (three counts)
– Evading Arrest or Detention on Foot, Misdemeanor 2

Johnson is lodged in the Venango County Prison with bail denied. The Bail Action Reason is listed as a “threat to public/public servants.”

DUI:
George Makepease, 59, of New Castle, is charged with DUI after a traffic stop on March 21st in Ellport Borough. According to the criminal complaint, and at approximately 4:23 p.m., police observed a tan vehicle traveling on Portersville Road with a loud exhaust and with a brake light not working leading police to conducted a traffic stop on Railroad Street where they found Makepeace to be under the influence of alcohol. Makepeace also admitted to smoking marjiuana within hours of the traffic stop. Makepeace was asked to completed a field sobriety test for which he failed.

DUI:
Jessica Caravella, 32, of New Castle, is charged with DUI after a traffic accident on April 22nd. According to the criminal complaint, and at approximately 8:40 p.m., police were dispatched to a reported hit and run that occurred at the intersection of Old Pittsburgh Road and Cole Road, Wayne Township. A victim’s vehicle was side-swiped by Caravella who did not stop and continued driving south towards Ellwood Road. The victim followed Caravella to a residence on Harmony Baptist Road and police arrived shortly thereafter. Police found damages to Caravella’s vehicle consistent with the victim’s report as well as a front tire missing from Caravella’s vehicle. Upon questioning, Caravella admitted to drinking and she was taken into custody for suspected DUI and transported to a nearby hospital for a blood draw.