POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF:
Terry Janiel, 18, of Ellwood City is charged with multiple counts of Theft from Motor Vehicles, Criminal Mischief, and Loitering after several incidents in late June. According to criminal complaints, and first on June 23rd, officers obtained footage of Janiel and other actors walking around the area of 600 Line Avenue after a previous night of thefts, and the actors had attempted to rob someone with a firearm and then fled the area. Surveillance from Barry Quick Mart show Janiel and other actors attempting to steal a motorcycle. A second complaint against Janiel relates a second victim reported her vehicle to be broken into overnight June 22nd to June 23rd where as her purse and keys were missing from the vehicle. The victim was able to locate her purse and keys on Elm Way near Gregg Street. Loss due to theft included $100 cash and a vape pen, credit cards were still in purse and keys left in nearby grass. A third complaint again Janiel relates police obtained a search warrant of Janiel’s residence on Wampum Avenue, Ellwood City, where it was believed Janiel would have firearms in his vehicle. The search warrant was also able to secure an altered handgun, rounds of ammunition, a .44 air pistol, 9mm ammunition, and and address booklet. Janiel’s mother, and homeowner, arrived to explained to police that she was at a point where she did not know what to do the report relates. Janiel is believed to be on electronic monitoring as he was just released from jail recently and on probation the complaint relates. Janiel is a felon not to possess, and was in possession of two firearms in his bedroom as well as multiple rounds of ammunition. Further charges are pending interviews with the juveniles and their parents the complaint relates.

SIMPLE ASSAULT:
Trent Sirak, 21, of Ellwood City, is charged with Simple Assault and Harassment after an incident on June 21st. According to a criminal complaint, and incident was reported at Freeds Trailer Park, New Beaver Township, whereas Sirak and a female victim got into a verbal argument over text communications that later led to Sirak striking the victim in the forehead with a circular candle, causing a laceration. Sirak fled the scene prior to police arrival. Police interviewed the victim who related the argument started over text communication and that she told Sirak to get out and they started throwing objects at each other. The victim related she didn’t hit him with any objects but was struck on the right side of her forehead. Police interviewed a witness who was picking up the victim prior to the assault and that she heard yelling coming from inside the residence. The witness went inside the residence to collect the victim’s child and the yelling ensued between both parties. The witness then contacted 911 immediately after. Based on the information and interviews, Sirak is charged with Simple Assault and Harrassment.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF:
Joseph Paglia, 22, of New Castle is charged with Criminal Mischief after an incident on June 21st. According to a police report, and at approximately 9:11 a.m., New Castle police investigated a report of an erratic driver at State Road, Hickory Township, and found the suspect while on a motorcycle followed two female victims from Ellwood City and deliberately struck the victim’s vehicle causing damage. When the victim returned to file a police report, the suspect began to pry at the victim’s door and Paglia then fled the scene. Charged have been filed.

DUI:
Keith Kreitzer, 25, of New Castle, is charged with DUI and Reckless Driving after an accident on May 12th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 2:05 a.m., police responded to a crash on Wampum Road, north of Jockey Moore Road, Wayne Township to find a vehicle off the roadway on its roof. Police made contact with the driver, later identified as Kreitzer, who was transported by ambulance for evaluation. The complaint relates lab tests showing Delta-9 THC in his blood system and charges were set forth.

DUI:
Marshall Swiss, 25, of Ellwood City, is charged with DUI and Careless Driving after an incident on May 24th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 7:38 a.m., police were dispatched to Wampum Road Route 288 near the Rock Point Boat Club for the report of a white male walking in his underwear. Police located the male, and a car found still running and in drive facing uphill on a grassy hill toward oncoming traffic. Police spoke with the male, later identified as Swiss, who admitted he took LSD earlier and was unable to explain to officers how he got to where police found him or his clothing. Swiss admitted to driving the vehicle and failed a field sobriety test and was transported to a nearby hospital for a blood draw.

DUI:
Adam Johnston, 36, of Ellwood City, is charged with DUI after an accident on June 22nd. According to a criminal complaint, police were dispatched to an accident in the area of 4th Street and Park Avenue and arrived to find a wrecked vehicle without a driver present. Witnesses directed police in the area of Johnston who was found staggering on the sidewalks near 5th Street and Franklin Avenue. When police approached Johnston to speak with him they detected an overwhelming odor of alcohol emanating from Johnston and he admitted to officers of drinking and smoking marijuana prior to the accident. Johnston was placed under arrest and transported to ECPD and later a nearby hospital for a blood draw.

DUI:
Joseph Yaromey, 49, of Ellwood City, is charged with DUI and Carless Driving after an incident on May 30th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 4:24 p.m., police observed a red van traveling on 5th Street with an inoperable brake light and activated sirens to conduct a traffic stop. Police approached to find Yaromey overly nervous and erratic with bloodshot and glassy eyes the report relates. Police asked Yaromey to exit the vehicle and administered a field sobriety test for which he failed. Yaromey was taken into custody and transported to a nearby hospital for a blood draw. The blood work later was reported and showed Yaromey was under the influence of multiple narcotics at the time of arrest.

HIDTA OPERATION 17
On June 27, 2024, Lawrence County District Attorney Detectives, New Castle City Narcotics, Union Township Police, Ellwood City Police and Mahoning Township Police, as part of the District Attorney’s HIDTA Drug Task Force, executed a Sealed Search Warrant at 802 Sankey Street, Apartment D in Westview Terrace. Detectives seized 29.1 grams of suspected heroin/fentanyl, 3.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine, .3 grams of suspected crack cocaine, numerous digital scales and assorted packaging materials. Present in the residence were Mr. Adrian Calhoun, Mr. Brandon Stafford, Ms. Tammy Stafford, and Ms. Brooke Stafford, all residents of the City of New Castle. All occupants were arrested, and Mr. Calhoun was charged with 1 count of Possession with Intent to Deliver, 2 counts of Possession and 1 count of Drug Paraphernalia; Mr. Stafford was charged with 1 count of Possession with Intent to Deliver and 1 count of Drug Paraphernalia; Ms. Tammy Stafford was charged with 1 count of Possession of a Controlled Substance; and Ms. Brooke Stafford was arrested on bench warrants and domestic relations warrants.

UNLAWFUL POSSESSION:
Thomas James Clark, 32, of Butler, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal firearms laws United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan this week. According to the Indictment, on January 20, 2024, Clark—who has prior felony convictions—possessed a firearm and ammunition. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant. 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.