Police and Fire

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

ASSAULT: On July 4th at approximately 9:15 p.m, PA State Police investigated the report of a fight between neighbors over fireworks at a residence on Railroad Avenue, Wayne Township. Three suspects have been charged including Mary Cruz, 46, of Youngstown, and a 16-year-old female from Youngstown. DISORDERLY CONDUCT: On August 28th at approximately 6:08 p.m., PA State Police, Shenango Township Police, and Hickory Township Police responded to the false report of a robbery at a residence on Ellwood Road, Slippery Rock Township. Upon investigation, it was determined that a juvenile had texted 911 as a joke. THEFT BY DECEPTION/IMPERSONATION: On…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: On Wednesday, August 24th, at approximately 7:58 p.m., PSP New Castle responded to a reported trespassing on Rim Road, Slippery Rock Township. Upon arrive a 57-year-old Ellwood City female stated that an unknown male and female broke her antique ladder, valued at $800.00, that was hanging from the front porch of the residence. The victim provided trail camera footage which showed a female in a red dress and a male in black shorts and t-shirt on the front porch of the residence. There are currently no suspects. BURGLARY/TRESPASSING: According to a criminal complaint, on June 26th at approximately…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: On August 1st, at approximately 12:05 a.m., PA State Police were dispatched to Freeds Trailer Park, New Beaver Borough, Lawrence County, in reference to criminal mischief. On scene a 38-year-old female, of New Galilee, advised that the neighbor threw an egg at her window. The actor was warned and charges were not filed due to the Victims request. HARASSMENT: On July 1st, at approximately 5:53 p.m., PA State Police responded to the report of Harassment at Freeds Trailer Park, New Beaver Borough, Lawrence County. A 26-year-old female, of New Galilee, stated she was grabbed and pushed by her…


Council Promotes Ellwood City Police Officer to Sergeant

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to promote Ellwood City Police Officer Rob Magnifico to sergeant. Council had a choice to make in promoting one officer or two. Magnifico along with fellow Officer Matt Kennedy were the choices to fill the position. Councilman Caleb Cragle and Councilwoman Jan Williams voted to promote two officers but were met with opposition from the rest of council. Councilmen James Barry, Brad Ovial, and George Celli and Councilwomen Judith Dici and Michelle Lamenza voted to appoint one officer—Magnifico—to fill the role. Before the vote, Councilman Cragle asked Mayor Anthony Court, who heads the…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT: Micah Ndungu, 20, of Ellwood City, is charged with Theft and Receiving Stolen Property after an incident on July 23rd. According to the criminal complaint, Ellwood City Police were called to Fifth Street for a report of theft. The victim reported he was attempting to sell an iPhone 11 Pro on Facebook Marketplace for $400.00 and was meeting the purchasing party at McDonald’s. The victim stated that at approximately 9:13 p.m. the alleged purchaser of the phone grabbed it and ran away. Officers paroled the area but unable to locate the individual. After reviewing video surveillance from the incident,…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT: Kathleen Minerd, 31, of New Castle is charged with Retail Theft after an incident on July 27 at a Sheetz location on US Route 422, Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County. According to the report, and at approximately 11:37 p.m., police responded and after its investigation found Minerd stole several food/drink items from within the store, totaling $21.52 in lost product. Items included Dr. Pepper, Prairie City Cake Bar, two Nerds Cluster Candy, Reese’s Sticks, Peanut Butter & Honey Sandwich, Caramel Cremes, and Pepperoni Puffs. Minerd is charged with Retail Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, and Disorderly Conduct, and then incarcerated…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

BURGLARY: A 37-year-old man has been charged with burglary after an incident on June 28th in Wampum. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 11:53 a.m., police were dispatched to Wampum Park Housing complex for reports of burglary. Video surveillance shows Robert Grim arriving at the complex at approximately 2:03 a.m. and entering through a window located at the rear. A victim stated she woke up and discovered many things inside her apartment missing, namely her Xanax prescription, cash, and a debit card. The victim believes her son, Grim, was responsible for the burglary as he has stolen from…


U.S. Attorney Chung Announces HIDTA Designation for Lawrence County

United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced this week that Lawrence County has been officially designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy. Lawrence joins five other western Pennsylvania counties – Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, Westmoreland, and Erie – in receiving dedicated federal resources to coordinate federal, state, and local governments to fight drug trafficking and abuse. “Lawrence County citizens will benefit significantly from HIDTA designation and the critical resources and support that brings to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations,” said U.S. Attorney Chung. “We will use these…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: According to a police report, two unknown white males proceeded to operate a Farmall tractor with a brush hog attachment and mow approximately 1,000 feet of wooded area along private property lines at Del-Mar Golf Course in Wayne Township. The incident was reported to have taken place between the times of June 25th at midnight and June 26th at 9:53 a.m. While police were on scene, trail cameras were reviewed along with a neighbor canvassed none of which yielded with identifying the potential suspects. The investigation is ongoing. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: Three arrests were made stemming from an…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: An incident as reported that unknown actors(s) attempted to pry open a secured mailbox from the Ellwood Wampum Rod & Gun Club. The incident was reported to have happened between May 1 and June 14, 2022. During the attempt they did not steal any contents from the mailbox however it was damaged, valued at $200.00. No video surveillance cameras were observed on the exterior of the building. As a result no viable suspects can be identified at this time according to the police report. The investigation is ongoing. THEFT: PA State Police investigated reports of theft from a…