POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

RESISTING ARREST:
Blake Zeigler, 24, of Ellwood City, is charged with Resisting Arrest, Public Drunkenness, Disorderly Conduct, and Receiving Stolen Property after an incident on March 20th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 12:27 a.m., police located Zeigler stumbling in and out of the roadway near Haig Street, yelling obscenities, and appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Upon approach by police Zeigler gave inconsistent statements and continued to shout and harass police and evade approaching officers. While attempting to handcuff Zeigler the officier observed a firearm with cut stock, unsecure and lacking visible ammunition the report relates. Zeigler was placed into custody and transported to ECPD and later a nearby hospital for evaluation. Zeigler does not possess a license to carry according to the complaint.

SIMPLE ASSAULT:
Barry Williams, 51, of Ellwood City, is charged with Simple Assault and Harrassment after an incident on May 26th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 7:26 a.m., police were called to a residence on Haig Street for a domestic in progress. Police were met by the female victim who was found with a swollen right cheek and that told officers that her boyfriend, Williams, was arguing with her over a male texting her phone for a lawn mower for sale. The victim related that Williams then open hand smacked her across her face and left prior to officers arriving. Officers checked the area for Williams and were unsuccessful in finding him the complaint relates.

HIDTA OPERATION 66 – “Litter Pickup”
On 05/21/2025, Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office HIDTA Drug Task Force Detectives served a sealed narcotics search warrant on 1144 Pin Oak Drive Apt 2B. Lawrence County CIRT made entry into the residence and detained Heather MAHICH, Jorge GARCIA-SUAREZ, and Jaylen TOLBERT. Upon searching the residence detectives initially discovered a small paper fold containing suspected fentanyl and $430.00 in assorted US Currency.

HIDTA Operation 66 – Litter Pickup

During entry into the apartment, CIRT operators observed a handgun and baggie of suspected cocaine being thrown from the next-door apartment window (1C). CIRT operators then secured apartment 1C, and detained the residents, Axwell RIOS, and Daisy VELASQUEZ. A second search warrant was obtained for Apartment 1C.

Searches of both apartments led to the seizure of the following:
(2) Multiple digital weigh scales;
$3,932 In assorted US Currency;
(1) Baggie containing suspected fentanyl (2.1grams);
(1) 16-gauge Mossberg Bolt Action Shotgun with obliterated serial number;
(1) Stolen .25cal Licorn pistol;
(1) ‎Baggie containing suspected marijuana (348.7grams);
(1) ‎Baggie containing suspected marijuana (116.2 grams);
(1) Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum revolver; and
(1) Bag of suspected cocaine (28.7grams).

MAHICH and GARCIA-SUAREZ were lodged in Lawrence County Jail on outstanding warrants with charges pending from this incident. TOLBERT was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and possession of paraphernalia. RIOS is being charged with 2 counts of possession with intent to deliver and persons not to possess a firearm and VELASQUEZ is being charged with 2 counts of possession with intent to deliver.

DRUG TRAFFICKING:
Members of the Beaver County HIDTA task force and members of the PA State Police were involved in a six month narcotics distribution investigation starting in November 2024 that investigated drug trafficking and sales with the suspect/target of the investigation Cedric Fitzgerald Turner, 55, of Ellwood City but residing in Darlington Boro, Beaver County. According to a PA State Police release report, an arrest warrant was obtained and narcotics agents and undercover troopers established surveillance on the target at his residence. Turner went mobile in a vehicle and a traffic stop was conducted. Turner was arrested on May 27th by Beaver PSP Patrol and K9 Trooper “Beny”. A search warrant was conducted on his residence on Plumb Street, Darlington Boro, Beaver County. The search warrant was based on prior sales from Turner and the traffic stop. Upon agents making entry the following was seized:

2 Kilgrams of Cocaine, 1 Kilgram of Fentanyl, 5 pounds of Marijuana, various controlled pills, $13,343 in US Currency, and a .32 caliber revolver.

Turner had a prior conviction of 2nd Degree Murder and Robbery, and he was a felon not to possess firearms. Turner was charged and placed in Beaver County Jail awaiting federal adoption and prosecution of the case.

UNLAWFUL RECORDING:
Jillian Capa Rectenwald, 37, of Portersville, is charged with filming in the Lawrence County Common Pleas courtroom during formal arraignment proceedings the morning of May 6th. According to a criminal complaint, a county jail inmate who was awaiting formal arraignment told court officers he spotted the woman, identified as Rectenwald, recording in the courtroom and said he did not want to be recorded, the report said.

Rectenwald was using her cell phone recorder and she ran out of the courtroom when the matter came up the report relates. Another witness advised court personnel that she too had seen Rectenwald filming the proceeding.The deputy confiscated Rectenwald’s phone and released her. The deputy obtained a search warrant to retrieve photos or video from the phone relating to the court proceeding. Rectenwald as a result is charged with unlawful use of a camera or video device in court, a second level misdemeanor.

Rectenwald had been in Central Court March 13 for her preliminary hearing in the domestic stabbing charges against her. Her brother was there for support. As an officer tried to escort her into the courtroom for the hearing, she reportedly lashed out at him, becoming belligerent.