POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

RETAIL THEFT:
Mark Butler, 24, of Ellwood City, is charged with Retail Theft and Resisting Arrest after an incident on October 4th. According to the criminal complaint, and at approximately 11:45 p.m., Ellwood City Police responded to the Ellwood City Seven-Eleven for a reported theft. The store clerk told officers a male with dread locks had stolen a pack of cigars and was seen walking east on Wampum Avenue. Officers later located the male fitting the description and attempted to stop the man later identified as Butler. Butler would not listen and continued walking and yelling at officers. When officers attempted to place Butler into custody, he would not comply and continued to fight with officers on scene. When apprehended, Butler was found to have a small amount of marijuana in his pocket with a 5 pack of backwoods cigars which was the item stolen from Seven-Eleven, valued at $6.57. Butler was later released from ECPD custody and informed he would receive charges in the mail.

RETAIL THEFT:
On October 9th at 2:01 a.m., the Pennsylvania State Police New Castle station were dispached to 3208 Us Highway 422 Slippery Rock Twp, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania for reports of a theft. Upon arrival, it was reported that 4 suspects entered Sheetz and left without paying for merchandise. The investigation is still ongoing. (Stolen: 3 Jack Links Meat and Cheese sticks, value $5.67)

DUI:
Kassi Pegg, 35, of Hillsville, PA, is charged with DUI after an incident on September 9th. According to a criminal complain, and at approximately 8:36 p.m., police responded to an unresponsive female at a Sheetz gas station on US Highway 422, Slippery Rock Township. Upon arrival police learned several people attempted to wake Pegg whom was found slumped over the wheel insider her car. Responding EMS suggested Pegg had every sign of an overdose. When a window was smashed to gain entry into the car, Pegg awoke and was found visibly dazed, sluggish and very tired. Pegg was asked to submit a field sobriety test for which she failed. Pegg stated she had come from the methadone clinic and took methadone at 8:00 a.m. Pegg gave consent to a search and was found to have a small amount of heroin tucked in her breast. Pegg was placed into custody for suspicion of DUI and transported to a nearby hospital for a blood draw.

DUI:
On October 14th at approximately 9:00 a.m. at 41-year-old Ellwood City man was stopped by PA State Police New Castle on 6th Street at its intersection with Beaver Avenue , Ellwood City, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania for a traffic violation. Through the investigation the operator was found to be in possesion of THC Oil and related drug paraphernalia. The Operator was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance. Charges are pending disposition of evidence through 53-3-01

FLEEING:
On October 17th at approximately 2:00 AM, PA State Police troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a red/burgundy in color Chevrolet Cruz in the City of Beaver Falls, Beaver County, PA. While doing so, the suspect vehicle fled from Troopers. A vehicle pursuit was initiated in the City of Beaver Falls. After pursuing the suspect vehicle through Beaver Falls , the vehicle pursuit continued on I76 (PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE) Eastbound. Through the course of the pursuit, the suspect vehicle reached speeds of over 100MPH. The suspect vehicle was later located in Marshall Township, Allegheny County, PA. This is an ongoing investigation. PSP-Beaver handling.

NEW CASTLE FELON INDICTED ON DRUG/GUN CRIMES:
PITTSBURGH – A Superseding Indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh charging Sahire Walker with committing crack cocaine trafficking and firearm crimes, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced on October 11th

The Superseding Indictment charges Walker, age 44, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, with committing the following crimes on June 4, 2020: (1) possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute, (2) possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and (3) possession of a firearm and ammunition after a felony conviction.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of at least 20 years and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $2,500,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States. The New Castle Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the return of the Superseding Indictment in this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.