Police: Assault and Damage to a Car, Attempted Burglary, and Hitting Utility Poles

Man Assaults Man and Damages Car

According to the criminal complaint, Richard C. Myers, 39, of Ellport, assaulted a man and damaged his car during an accident on April 15 at approximately 4:30 p.m. The victim testified that he had driven to a residence in Ellport to drop his son’s bicycle off. Myers, the victim’s ex-wife’s boyfriend, subsequently punched him through the open window of the driver’s seat, knocking his glasses off. The victim exited the car to retrieve his glasses and was further assaulted by Myers, causing damage to the vehicle. The victim left the scene and informed police. McElwain Brothers Paint and Collision estimated the damage at $1714.77. Myers was charged with harassment by physical contact, simple assault and criminal mischief.

Intoxicated Man Strikes Utility Pole

According to the criminal complaint, on April 3 at approximately 10:40 p.m., officers responded to a motor vehicle accident on 200 Wampum Ave. A Pontiac Grand Am had struck a utility pole, causing severe damage. The defendant, Devon Alexander Dunkle, 19, of Butler, initially stated he had exited through the passenger door, which wasn’t possible because that door couldn’t open. Dunkle subsequently admitted to being the driver. He failed a field sobriety test and was taken to the Ellwood City Hospital. He was charged with two counts of DUI and careless driving. The EllwoodCity.org staff is currently unaware why Dunkle wasn’t also charged with an underage.

Attempted Burglary in Little Beaver Township

An Ohio man was accused of attempting to burglarize a residence in Little Beaver Township. According to the criminal complaint, on April 15 around 11:20 a.m., Andrew Vincent Perillo, 27, of Columbiana, Ohio first attempted to gain access to a house on Kaufman Road by asking the resident to use her cell phone. The resident denied permission and informed state police that a male was driving a black Chevrolet with a damaged headlamp and a license plate in the rear windshield. Around 40 minutes later, Perillo arrived at another house on Kaufman Road and forced open the rear door. The resident was not home, but Perillo didn’t see anything of value to steal. Around 12:15, state police intercepted Perillo who admitted to forcing entry into the residence. He was charged with burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

Selling Stolen Car

State Police apprehended a man selling a stolen car following an incident on Jan. 7. According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 4 officers noticed a Blue Yamaha Rhino for sale on Craigslist without a title. Police made arrangements with the seller, Brandon Lee Black, 35, of New Castle, to purchase the car. On Jan. 7, officers arrived at Black’s residence and confirmed the Rhino was stolen. Black was charged with receiving stolen property.

DUI Accident

According to the criminal complaint, on April 5 at approximately 11:00 a.m., officers responded to an accident on Senn Lane in New Beaver Borough. A vehicle had struck a utility pole. The driver, Jordan Lee Musguire, 30, of New Galilee, reported that he had attempted to move a small propane bottle in his car when he traveled off the roadside and struck the pole. Musguire appeared intoxicated. A witness driving another vehicle reported that just prior to the crash, Musguire’s vehicle was stationary on the roadway and Musguire appeared to be passed out for an extended period of time before he drove off to hit the pole. Musguire was taken to Jameson Hospital. He was charged with a DUI, driving while suspended, driving in the middle of the road, careless driving, reckless driving and not wearing a seat belt.

DUI

According to the criminal complaint, on April 24 at approximately 2:20 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop due to a vehicle driving the wrong one along a one-way section of Beaver Avenue. The driver was identified as Michael John Beltrami, 42, of Porterville, who admitted to having had five beers. Beltrami failed a field sobriety test and was taken to the Ellwood City Hospital. He was charged with two counts of DUI.