Police and Fire

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

BAD CHECKS: According to a criminal complaint, on August 17th, police were notified from the owner of The Store, located on Line Ave, that Laquita Thomas, 28, of New Brighton, cashed her payroll check at his business. He provided a copy of the check that was marked Return (Duplicate Presentment) with a $15.00 fee. This was to do with Ms. Thomas already depositing this check into her account using a mobile device the complaint relates. Police spoke with Thomas at her current employer in October of 2023 about this problem. Thomas agreed to pay the money back to The Store,…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

TERRORISTIC THREATS: Michael Polky, 24, of Georgetown, PA, is charged with Terroristic Threats and Simple Assault after an incident on October 16th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 5:39 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence on Wampum Avenue for a domestic. A caller reported her friend was just assaulted by her ex-boyfriend and the suspect fled the scene. Police responded to the residence and interviewed the victim who related that Polky came over to get the rest of his things but he attitude soon changed and he grabbed the victim by her throat and pushed and choked…


Former Employee of Beaver County Health Care Facility Pleads Guilty To Hate Crime Charges Related To Assaults Against Disabled Residents

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to federal hate crime charges, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced on Monday. Tyler Smith, 32, of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, and one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. According to admissions made during Smith’s plea hearing, he and co-defendant Zachary Dinell were employees of an in-patient health care facility located in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. Residents of the facility suffered from a range of…


Franklin Township Looking To Hire Police Chief

Franklin Township is currently accepting applications to fill the position of a full-time Police Chief. According to the township, it is recommended that applicants have 10 years or more of continuous experience in law enforcement and 5 years or more of continuous experience as a Second Line Supervisor, and an associate degree or better in Police Science or related field of experiences which demonstrate police management. Candidates must possess a PA Act 120 Certification, valid Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Operators License, and be certified by the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission. Candidates will be subject to an interview process…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

HUMAN REMAINS DISCOVERED: On November 14th at approximately 4:00 p .m., PA State Police responded to a wooded area adjacent to ST 422 in Pulaski Township, Lawrence County where human remains were discovered by a hunter. The remains have not been identified. The PA State Police continue to investigate. SIMPLE ASSAULT: Franklin Cesare-Hesse, 34, of Ellwood City, is accused of pointing a sawed-off shotgun at two juveniles and a male adult during a domestic dispute on November 12th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 2:30 a.m., Cesare-Hesse, formerly of New Jersey, repeatedly told the occupants, two of whom…


NOTICE: Franklin Township To Hold Special Meeting Tonight

According to information made available by the township, the Franklin Township Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 6:00 P.M. at the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss options for police protection. The Franklin VFD is located at 808 Old Zelienople Road, Ellwood City, PA 16117. Franklin Township is a township in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,885 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The township can be contacted via phone, 724-758-9702 or email, twpsecretary@franklintwpbeavercopa.gov.  For more updates,…


Ellwood City Police Boxing Club Hosting Saturday Night Fights

Are you ready for bouts full of blow-by-blow, bob and weave brawlers? Don’t miss Saturday Night Fights at the SOI Club, 808 Lawrence Ave., Ellwood City, tomorrow, November 4. Hosted by The Ellwood City Police Boxing Club, it’s an event that is sure to thrill. The doors open at 5 p.m., which gives spectators just enough time to grab food and drinks, which will be for sale, before the fights begin at 6 p.m. Cost is $20 for general admission and $25 for ringside. Coach Jack Maine of the ECPBC said there will be 13 fights in total. “Three fighters…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: Aaron Perri, 31, of Ellwood City, is charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of operating a vehicle without an official certificate of inspection after a traffic stop on October 31st. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 12:41 a.m., Ellwood City police pulled over a vehicle with an expired state inspection sticker and found the passenger, Ryan Carr, had a warrant for his arrest. The driver was later identified as Perri. Officers noticed a hypodermic…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

DUI/CRASH/EVADING POLICE: Isiah Carr, 28, of Ellwood City, is facing 17 charges after a vehicle crash into trailer, home during police chase on October 14th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 11:05 p.m., police were dispatched to a residence on Guy Way, Wayne Township for a welfare check. One scene police observed Carr slumped over the steering wheel of a silver Nissan Altima, parked in a driveway. Police attempted to contact Carr who was found to be in a daze, and who immediately placed the vehicle in reverse in an attempt to elude police. According to the report,…


Man Arrested In Perry Township Homicide Investigation

Yohance Mercer-Huffman, 28, was taken into custody on Saturday, October 21st at approximately 4:00 p.m. in connection with the September homicide on River Road, Perry Township that left a Corry, PA woman dead. According to a police report, and on October 20th, PA State Police filed criminal charges in Magisterial District Court 53-3-01 against Mercer-Huffman, in connection with the shooting of Julie Anne Wegmiller and her husband Edwin Wegmiller. Police responded to River Road in Perry Township on September 30 for reports of a vehicle that had gone over a hillside. First responders found 39-year-old Julie Anne Wegmiller shot dead…