POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

HARASSMENT:
On June 16th at approximately 4:23 p.m., PA State Police New Castle investigated a report of harassment via electronic device. A 62-year-old male victim who resides on Ellwood Road, Wayne Township reported to have received threatening text messages from a known individual. According to the report, the message were sent for no legitimate purpose, and caused alarm to the victim and his family. A 35-year-old male from Edinburg, PA is listed as an arrestte in the public information report. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact PA State Police referencing PA 2023-843701.

HARASSMENT:
On June 25th at approximately 2:08 p.m., PA State Police New Castle were dispatched to the report of a domestic in progress located on Frew Road, Slippery Rock Township. According to the police report, and through investigation, it was found that both a 47-year-old male and 47-year-old female victim/arrestee were involved in a physical altercation. Charges were filed against both parties through MDJ 53-3-01.

ANIMAL CRUELTY:
Brenda Rossman, 49, of Wampum, is charged with two counts each of aggravated cruelty to animals, both felonies, after an incident on June 18th. She also was charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals and neglect. According to a criminal complaint, and at 2:11 p.m., police were dispatched to a residence on Henry Street, Wayne Township for two deceased dogs that were left in a vehicle overnight. Upon arrival, police made contact with Rossman who was found visibly intoxicated and uttering that she killed her dogs. According to the complaint, she related that she had returned home after taking the dogs to the river to play and exercise and upon exiting the vehicle at approximately 9:00 p.m., left the dogs inside her Jeep Cherokee vehicle. Rossman related she was going to prepare them food but passed out. She awoke around 1:00 p.m. the following day and found the dogs unresponsive. Police investigated the vehicle to find urine and fecal matter on the passenger seat and floor area of the vehicle. The estimated elapsed time the dogs would have been in the vehicle would have been around eighteen hours (18) according to the complaint. A search warrant was obtained and both dogs were taken for a necropsy and it was ruled that both dogs died due to DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation) secondary to extreme heat. Suspects are to be considered innocent until proven guilty or adjudicated by a court.

RETAIL THEFT:
Caitlin Gardner, 29, of New Castle, is charged with Retail Theft after an incident on July 3rd. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 8:52 p.m., police received a complaint of retail theft by a known witness in which he observed Gardner purposely ringing items of lesser value to mask the left of larger items that were not paid for at a Dollar General located on Ellwood Road, Slippery Rock Township.  Upon police arrival, police made contact with the store manager who, along with video survellience, identified Gardner in two separate incidents, June 28th and June 30th, making such retail theft acts. After reviewing the footage, the estimated value of items taken was at least $369.50 according to the complaint. The store manager did not have time to review other dates in which Gardner purchased items at the store as she is known to come in twice a week and leaves with a full cart each time the complaint relates. The manager related he knows Gardner and provided a home address for which police later attempted to reach her at with negative contact.

RETAIL THEFT:
Anthony Cirelli, 33, of West Pittsburg, is charged with Retail Theft after incident in April 2023. According to a criminal complaint, on April 24th at approximately 5:18 p.m., Ellwood City police officers were dispatched to Pete’s Uptown in regards to a retail theft. The caller advised that a male, later identified as Cirelli, came in with a back pack, placed it on the ground in the corner of the store, picked up a bag of tobacco and left the store without paying. Officers checked, but were unable to located Cirelli at the time of the call. According to the complaint, video survellience made it evident that the actor was Cirelli whom has three prior theft offenses making this his fourth offense and a felony offense. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

DUI:
James Matotek, 64, of Ellwood City, is charged with DUI after a traffic stop in May 2023. According to the criminal complaint, on May 25th at approximately 8:24 p.m., police observed a sedan traveling on Wampum Road with a cracked windshield and initiated a traffic stop on Wampum Road, Wayne Township. Police approached the driver, later identified as Matotek, who was observed to have glassy, bloodshot eyes and police asked him to exit the vehicle. Police administered a field sobriety test for which Matotek failed and was placed into custody without incident and transported to a nearby hospital for a blood draw. Analysis later found Matotek’s blood containing Mathadone, Amphetamine, and Methamphetamine.

DUI:
Rolando Sales-Mendez, 46, of Blairsville, is charged with DUI after a reported crash on July 2nd. According to the criminal complaint, and at approximately 5:18 a.m., police were dispatched to the area of Perry Highway (Route 18) near Grant City Road, Slippery Rock Township to find a Chevy Equinox at its final rest off the eastern side of the roadway. Evidence at the scene indicated the vehicle went off the roadway, struck a sign, a concrete embankment.  Police made contact with the driver, later identified as Sales-Mendez but were unable to communicate due to a language barrier. Police later learned through a language services interpreter that Mendez was visiting a friend in New Wilmington and was on his way home. While speaking with Mendez, police observed bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath. Mendez submitted a breath test for which tested positive for significant amount of alcohol and Mendez was placed under arrest for DUI.