Police and Fire

PITTSBURGH – On October 15, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Pittsburgh Division are holding a virtual town hall event focused on protecting seniors from financial fraud and potential scams during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady announced. One of the best ways to protect yourself or a loved one from financial fraud is to remain informed. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the SEC, and the FBI have partnered to raise awareness and educate seniors in Pennsylvania…

The New Castle City Police Department has filed criminal charges against three individuals after an investigation into the dissemination of photographs of children. In September, the NCPD was contacted through CHILDLINE in reference to possible photographs being disseminated of two juvenile females (between ages of 11 &13). Detectives learned through the investigation that the mother of the juveniles did take numerous nude pictures and send them to a male in Ellwood City identified as David BATES (60). The investigation showed that in some cases BATES did pay the mother of the juveniles for the pictures. NCPD detectives did interview the…

The following are police criminal complaints filed at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Lawrence County office of Honorable Jerry G. Cartwright. Dorothy Haswell, 45, of Ellwood City, is charged with Simple Assault and Harassment after an incident on Friday, September 25.  According to the criminal complaint, the victim stated that on the night prior, Haswell walked into her residence without knocking or permission around 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 24.  After a verbal confrontation Haswell jumped over the coffee table in the residence and assaulted the victim.  The victim later came to the ECPD to place her report. Reporting officer observed brusing…

The following are police criminal complaints filed at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Lawrence County office of Honorable Jerry G. Cartwright. Fight On Loop Street: On Sepember 8 at approximately 8:42 p.m. officers were dispatched to a reported fight at Loop Street involving a knife. Upon arrival officers made contact with all parties involved and spoke with a white male with a bleeding laceration above his eye who appeared intoxicated. After police asked for the man’s information, he lied several times about his identity before he finally gave his correct name. 22-year-old Hunter Dittmer, of Butler, was arrested and charged with…

Harrasment: A 24-year-old female was a reported victim of physical harassment according to a PA State Police report. On Sunday, September 6th at approximately 1:00 a.m., police responded to Panella Way, in Wayne Township to find the victim who related the actor pushed/shoved and held her down. The victim related that she believed the actor was still at her residence and that she had removed herself from the scene. Upon canvassing the area the actor was determined to not be present. According to the report charges are pending. Motor Vehicle Theft: A theft of a motor vehicle was reported some…

According to a Pennsylvania State Police report, a one vehicle accident on Wampum Road led to a DUI arrest late Tuesday evening. The crash occurred on State Route 288 west of its intersection with Jockey Moore Road in Wayne Township at approximately 11:45 p.m. A 2001 Harley-Davidson motorcycle driven by Michael Wyant, 52, of New Castle, was traveling east on SR-288 and failed to negotiate a straightaway, exiting the north berm of the roadway, striking two traffic signs and an embankment, coming to a final rest on the side of the motorcycle. Wyant was transported from the scene by Noga…

Pennsylvania State Police have arrested Justin Gates, 31, of Ellwood City after an investigation found Gates in El Dorado Motel located in Shenango Township. According to the police report, on Tuesday, August 25, police were looking for Gates in reference to felony warrants for a separate related incident. Gates was involved in a domestic dispute on Sunday, August 24 where he assaulted his girlfriend and killed his son’s 8 week old puppy. [READ MORE] Through investigation it was determined Gates was staying at the El Dorado Motel, 2618 New Butler Road, in Shenango Township, Lawrence County. Gates was located in…

According to a PA State Police report, a 79-year-old man from Ellwood City died in a one vehicle crash that took place Sunday afternoon between Wampum and Ellwood City. While traveling east on Wampum Road, a Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck driven by Glenn Freed, 79, of Ellwood City, lost control for unknown reasons and impacted a utility pole, approximately 10 feet of the right south shoulder on the road. The vehicle came to rest on the shoulder of Wampum Road measuring 431 feet east of Rock Point Road. Freed was transported to UPMC Presbyterian via STAT Medevac helicopter where he…

According to a public information release report made available on the PA State Police website, police are looking for Justin Gates, 31, of Ellwood City, PA in connection with a domestic dispute that took place on Sunday. According to the report, Gates was involved in a physical domestic on Sunday night. Gates assaulted his girlfriend and killed his son’s 8 week old Australian Shepherd puppy, Bear. The incident was reported to take place on Crestview Lane in Slippery Rock Township in Lawrence County. Gates is charged with strangulation, terroristic threats, endangering the welfare of children, simple assault, recklessly endangering other…

On Wednesday, August 12, at approximately 8:00 pm, PA State Police responded to a report of a hit/run crash in which a motorist was traveling south on Route-18 Big Beaver Boulevard near Possum Hollow Road and struck a metal fence, causing substantial damage, owned by “The Race Place” in New Beaver Boro, Lawrence County. Th accident destroyed six metal poles holding up the fence wiring. Upon arrival to the scene, police examined the scene and interviewed the victim/witnesses. State police discovered a door handle that might have belonged to the vehicle near the impact site. After checking video survelliance in…