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Police and Fire

October 17, 2017

Ellwood City Police, Firemen Receive Commendation for Life Saving Event

Several Ellwood City volunteer firemen and two Ellwood City officers attended yesterday’s council meeting while Council President Connie MacDonald read their commendation. On October 4th, a man working at Blank Concrete and Supply Co. went into full cardiac arrest, police officers Matthew Kennedy and Robert Magnifico were first to arrive on scene and immediately started CPR. Together both the officers and firefighters performed life-saving techniques on the man including using an AED to stabilize him while waiting for paramedics to arrive. Due to the fast action of these men, the patient is expected to make a full recovery and will…

October 16, 2017

Area Residents Warned to Stay Alert to Scammers

According to other news sources, a home in Shenango Township was robbed during what appeared to be a burglary scam. Reports state that last Thursday a man, described as a skinny white male with acne, driving a black SUV, went to the victim’s home in the area of Old Butler Road claiming to be an electric company worker. The victim asked the man for credentials that the man failed to provide, but he was still able to convince the victim to allow him access into the backyard to conduct a survey. During this time police believe a second person was…

October 12, 2017

Woman Facing Charges After Spending Thousands on Stolen Credit Card

According to the criminal complaint, Linda Marie Thompson, 34 of Valencia, PA., will be facing two counts of a felony charge of unauthorized use of a credit card. The victim went to the Ellwood City Police Department to report the fraud, stating that Thompson had taken two of his credit cards without his permission and charged large amounts on both cards. One card had a charge balance of $4815.90 and the second had a charge balance of $6995.05.

October 3, 2017

Woman Commits Suicide While Officers Enter Residence for Domestic Dispute

According to the police report, on October 1, officers were dispatched to a residential home on the 700 block of Bell Avenue for a domestic dispute. The caller advised that he was locked out of the residence and believed his girlfriend was inside. After officers unsuccessfully attempted to make contact with the girlfriend, they started to enter the residence through the garage, at which time they heard a gunshot followed by something hit the ground from inside the home. Officers found Carrie Abraham, 49, laying on the floor with a gun next to her. Officers administered first aid while waiting…

September 25, 2017

Criminal Complaints: 16 Pounds of Marijuana Seized in Little Beaver Township

16 Pounds of Marijuana Seized in Little Beaver Township According to the criminal complaint, Kevin Walter Davenport, 25, of Redford Township, Michigan, will be facing a felony and misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana with intent to sell after a traffic stop on September 19. An officer conducted a traffic stop with Davenport’s vehicle around 9a.m. near Little Beaver Township for a turn signal violation. During the stop the officer noticed indicators consistent with criminal activity and asked for permission to search the vehicle. A search revealed 18 vacuum sealed packages containing suspected marijuana, which were packaged for wholesale distribution….

September 21, 2017

Line Ave. Resident Facing Child Porn Charges, Freed on Surety Bond

A Line Ave. resident is facing 22 counts of child pornography charges following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to New Castle News, Robert Lee Rogers, 48, of 632 Line Avenue, Ellwood City, was investigated after allegedly downloading images of juvenile girls on his computer. The FBI alerted the district attorney’s office of their findings, prompting a search of Rogers’ laptop computer. Agents discovered additional child pornography images that did not meet parameters established for FBI prosecution and the prosecution was turned over to the local agency. Upon searching Roger’s computer, numerous photos of nude or partially…

September 19, 2017

Criminal Complaints: Man Ironically Held at Gunpoint After Stealing Guns

Man Held at Gunpoint After Stealing Guns According to the criminal complaint, on September 14, officers were sent to a residence in Perry Township for a report of an individual in physical custody by the homeowner for possession of stolen firearms. Upon arrival officers saw Pete Lopez, 42, of New Castle, lying on the ground being secured by the homeowner. Investigation revealed Lopez had stolen firearms from the homeowner while he was staying at the residence off and on for a few weeks with the homeowners daughter. The homeowner suspected Lopez was the thief and had asked him to return…

September 13, 2017

Police Reports: Flagger Assaulted on Fifth Street Bridge

Flagger Assaulted on Fifth Street Bridge According to the police report, on Sept. 11 a flagger was assaulted while working in the construction zone on the Fifth Street Bridge in the early afternoon. Officers were advised of an incident that was occurring at the south end of the bridge. A vehicle was parked, blocking the roadway with the driver and passenger side doors open, resulting in a heavy traffic build up and students unable to cross the road. Several people were yelling at each other and once patrol was able to calm the situation they conducted interviews with witnesses to…

September 6, 2017

New Castle Store Owner Offering Reward for Information on Robbery Suspects

According to Michelle Cioffi’s Facebook post, her business, Puff N Snuff on Croton Ave. was broken into last night with a rock smashed through the front door. “This is what I walked into this morning. A rock through my door and my cigarette racks emptied,” her Facebook post states. “This is why no one wants to bring new businesses and jobs to our community.” She posted security camera photos of the suspects and is offering a reward for anyone who has information on who committed the crime. See photos and Facebook post below.

September 6, 2017

Woman Charged with Endangering Welfare of Children After Incident Involving Marijuana

According to the criminal complaint, Ashley Anne Birchfield, 33, of Ellwood City, is facing charges of endangering the welfare of children after an incident on August 29. On August 29 at approximately 11p.m. officers responded to a complaint that the residents of the apartment were smoking and the smoke was emanating throughout the hallways of the apartment building. Officers knocked on the suspects door and a juvenile answered, leaving the door open while he searched for an adult. Officers observed a cloudy haze throughout the apartment and a strong smell of marijuana. Birchfield was laying down with a juvenile asleep…