Police and Fire

Attorney General Charges Ellwood City Officer With Assault

Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Friday that a former Lawrence County police officer has been charged with assault, official oppression and related offenses regarding a June incident at a Sheetz store. Robert Magnifico, then a sergeant with the Ellwood City Police Department, pushed a 19-year-old man, denied the man of his rights, then filed a report about the incident that was not an accurate version of what took place. Magnifico is charged with misdemeanor counts of simple assault, official oppression, tampering with public records, and unsworn falsification to authorities. (He retired last month.) On June 6, 2025, Magnifico was…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

FLEEING: John Tindall, 22, of Ellwood City, is charged with fleeing an officer after an traffic stop on Factory Avenue on September 24th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 6:01 p.m., officers apprehended Tindall after he attempted to flee the officers from near Factory Ave for speeding through multiple stop signs on a motorcycle. Police were able to detain him without incident and were advised that the registration was two years out of date and that Tindall did not possess a valid license to operate the vehicle according to the complaint. FLEEING: Shyanne Getty, 34, of Portersville, is…


Franklin Twp VFD Celebrating 90 Year Anniversary With Open House On Saturday

Franklin Township is proud to share that the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department is celebrating 90 years of service (1935–2025)! To honor this milestone, the Fire Department will be hosting an Open House on Saturday, October 4th at the Frisco Station located at 808 Old Zelienople Road, Ellwood City. All residents are invited to come out and join in the celebration. The open house event will take place from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. with many activities. Event Schedule: 11:00 AM – Doors Open 11:30 AM – Dedication Ceremony 12:00 PM – Complimentary Refreshments 1:00 PM – Cake Cutting 3:00…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT: On July 1st at approximately 11:00 p.m. police were dispatched to New Galilee on a report of theft. The victim, 81, of New Galilee reported his pellet stove stolen, which was located in the basement of his residence, at a value of around $2,300.00 Investigation pending further according to the complaint. RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY: Theodore Yeagley, 49, of Beaver Falls, is charged with Receiving Stolen Property after an incident occurring on June 24th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 7:13 a.m., police were dispatched to State Route 18 on a report of theft. Police were informed that…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT: On August 16th, and at approximately 6:00 a.m., police responded to a report of Online Theft. Upon further investigation, officers learned that the victims, a 71-year-old female and 73-year-old male both of Volant, were frauded $3000.00 total from a fake Facebook post regarding listed items for sale according to a criminal complaint. THEFT: Tyler Nicolls, 34, of New Castle, is charged with Theft of a motor vehicle after an incident occurring on August 12th at approximately 9:34 a.m. Police were informed by the victim that she allowed Nicolls to use the vehicle to take him to and from work,…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRASH REPORT: Delores Lipchey Holcomb, 31, of Marienville, was in an accident on July 30th at approximately 9:52 p.m. Police responded to a report of a vehicle crash that hit a deer on PA-488. No injuries were observed and Holcomb was abiding to traffic laws, according to a police report. ACCIDENT: Christopher Gallagher, 45, of Butler, was in an accident on July 30th at approximately 4:03 p.m. Police responded to a report of a vehicle crash on PA-488 and, according to police investigation, Gallagher was traveling at improper speeds and attempted to make a left turn which caused him to…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

  THEFT: On July 13th between the hours of 11:00p.m. and 9:00a.m. a motorcycle was stolen from Wilson Ave. The investigation is ongoing according to a criminal complaint. DUI: Clark Groce, 64, of Ellwood City is charged with DUI after an incident occurring on June 5th at approximately 11:55p.m. Police contacted Groce while in his parked car that was found to be in someone’s yard. Groce stated that he was very confused and blacked out making him unaware on how he ended up in the yard. Officers conducted a Standard Field Sobriety Test on Groce, and he was taken into…


Retired Brighton Township Police Officer Charged With Possession Of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against a Beaver County man — who retired as a police officer in 2023 — regarding possession of child sexual abuse material. The Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section charged 68-year-old Peter J. Benedict Jr. on Wednesday with 11 felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and criminal use of a communication facility regarding materials found at Benedict’s home during a search earlier this week. Benedict served as a police officer in Beaver County, serving as a school resource officer between 2022 and 2023, before retiring in 2023. The conduct outlined…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT: Andrew Freed is charged with theft of a motor vehicle after an incident occurring on June 23rd between the times of 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. Freezle Auto Wrecking reported that a pickup truck, estimated value of $1,500.00, was stolen from the property. East Palestine police recovered the vehicle and arrested Freed in connection with the stolen vehicle according to a criminal complaint. THEFT: Anthony Johnson, 65, of New Castle is charged with theft of a motor vehicle after an incident occurring on June 6th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 1:48 a.m., police responded to a…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT: On June 2nd at approximately 8:00p.m. New Castle PSP responded to Frew Mill Rd, Slippery Rock Twp for a report of theft. The victim reported that a total of $10,000.00 had been transferred from their account to another without her knowledge. AGGRIVATED ASSAULT: Joseph Pounds, 32, of Pittsburgh, is charged with Aggravated Assault after an argument occurring on June 3rd. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 7:34 p.m., officers were dispatched to Breakers Bar when they spotted Pounds and several others engaging in a verbal argument. Police detained Pounds and spoke with a male who stated the…