POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

ASSAULT WITH A WEAPON:
Richard Alan Criss, 50, of Edinburg, is charged with Assault after an incident on March 23rd. According to a police report, and at approximately 7:50PM, police responded to a report of an active domestic in Mahoning township. Police found that Criss had engaged in a verbal argument with a 52-year-old female victim of Wampum before brandishing a gun and firing it in the direction of the victim. Criss fled the scene and police located him driving a vehicle, in which
he seemed impaired and later consented to a legal blood draw according to the report.

THEFT:
During October 2023 a 67-year-old male victim of New Castle was the target of an online technical scam according to a New Castle Police release report. According to the report, the victim sent a total of $18,832.53 to the scammer after calling the phone number associated with the maleware pop-up. The investigation continues with the assistance of the San Diego, CA Police Department.

THEFT:
On March 19th police investigated the report of a fraudulent bank statement called in by a 33-year-old male victim of New Castle. According to the police report, the victim claimed that two bank transactions totaling $690.00 were made on his business bank account without proper authorization.

THEFT:
William Russell, 57, of Mercer is charged with Theft and Receiving Stolen Property after an incident involving himself and a female victim. According to a criminal complaint, the victim made arrangements with Russell to pick up three prescription medications from Rite Aid on or around the time of October 7, 2023. Russell was to pick up the prescriptions and return them to the victim, which he never did. In total, the value of the prescription medications came $1,471.95. According to the complaint, police reviewed video surveillance at the Rite Aid Pharmacy and clearly identified Russell. Police attempted to contact Russell and was unable to locate or speak with him. Several warrants are out for his arrest according to criminal complaint.

OPEN CONTAINER:
Amber Moorhouse, 36, of Wampum, is charged with Open Container after an incident on March 15th According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 6:27PM, police conduct a traffic stop on Moorhouse to which they find two opened ‘Mikes Hard Lemonade’ cans. Moorhouse gave police a fake name and birthdate upon having police ask for her information. When police got the correct information, it was apparent that Moorhouse had 8 warrants out for her arrest. She then also informed police of narcotics and paraphernalia in her purse. Moorhouse is lodged in Lawrence County Jail.

DUI:
Timothy Myers, 42, of Ellwood City, is charged with DUI after an incident on March 6th. According to a criminal complaint, police were dispatched to Sheetz, located Myers, and attempted to speak to Myers who was asleep with the vehicle running and window open. After two attempts at contact, Myers woke up and police observed two open beer cans, 3 used narcotic paraphernalia pipes, and several baggies of narcotics including a white powdery substance and a hard brown
substance in the vehicle and one pipe on Myers the complaint relates. Police informed him he would be arrested for the open container and narcotics.

DUI:
Ryleigh Lucas, 29, of Ellwood City is charged with Use/Possession after a traffic stop on January 29th. According to a criminal complaint, at at approximately 8:28PM, police conducted a traffic stop for a loud exhaust and excessive speed and upon stopping and making contact, police observed Lucas in the passenger seat to be under the influence. After having a conversation with the driver Eric Butch, 45, of Ellwood City, police observed him to be without a license and upon consented search of the vehicle, narcotics and paraphernalia were found. Because of the constructive possession and neither party claiming ownership of the paraphernalia, both parties are charged with the same charges.

DUI:
Eric Butch, 45, of Ellwood City, is charged with Possession and Driving without a License after a traffic stop on January 29th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 8:28PM, police conducted a traffic stop on Butch and upon stopping and making contact and having a conversation with Butch, police observed him to be without a license and upon consented search of the vehicle, narcotics and paraphernalia were found.

CRASH:
Frank Pagani, 64, of New Middletown OH, is charged with Driving On Roadways Lane for Traffic after an accident on March 20th. According to criminal complaint, Pagani was traveling on State Route 168 heading West when he struck the rear end of Unit #2. Pagani then struck a fence adjacent to 887 State Route 168. No injuries were reported.