Police and Fire

Women Assaults Man with Knife Devon Rand Crocker, 23, of Ellwood City, was accused of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children for an incident on April 3. According to the criminal complaint, officers responded to a domestic situation on Franklin Avenue at approximately 7:30 p.m. Investigating officers made contact with the victim, Crocker’s boyfriend, in the hallway of a second floor apartment. He reported that following a verbal altercation lasting several hours, Crocker attacked her mother and him with a knife. The victim was able to disarm Crocker, but was bitten repeatedly. These actions occurred in the presence…

Simple Assault on Easter According to the criminal complaint, on March 27, police responded to a domestic dispute on Possum Hollow Road in New Beaver Borough. The accused, Candace Lane Freed, 56, got into an argument with the victim, her boyfriend. The argument escalated until it erupted into physical violence. Freed struck the victim several times around his head and neck. This fight would end up causing part of their Easter Dinner to fall on the ground. Freed was charged with simple assault and harassment. Intoxicated Man Waits for Cheeseburger that Was Never Ordered According to the criminal complaint, investigating…

The Lawrence County Drug Task Force recently arrested an Ellwood City mother and son cocaine-dealing duo. Michael Mario Viccari, 26, and Darlene Cragle, 57, both of Ellwood City, were arraigned on Tuesday by Magistrate Jerry Cartwright following a several month investigation. Police were informed the duo was dealing drugs from 216 Buckeye Way. In a pre-planned operation on Oct. 15, Viccari sold 2.3 grams of cocaine for $80 to an informant. Again, on January 13, an informant was sent with $80 to purchase cocaine from Viccari. However, as Vicarri wasn’t home, Cragle made the exchange. Both were placed in the…

Woman Assaults Woman According to the criminal complaint, on Thursday, March 17, at 4 a.m. , officers were dispatched to a Fifth Street apartment for a domestic disturbance. When the officers arrived they could hear screaming coming from the upstairs apartment. Officers entered the apartment and made contact with the victim and the defendant, Melissa Star Sabo, 35. When questioned, Sabo stated that they merely arguing. However, the victim stated that Sabo had harassed and threatened her. She also said that Sabo had  slammed her by the neck onto the bed and began choking her. The victim stated that she…

Burger King Employee Steals $150 by Writing Two Bank Deposits A Beaver Falls woman was accused of stealing $150 from Burger King on Lawrence Avenue. According to the criminal complaint filed on March 7, Christy Marie Landles, 24, stole the money as an employee while making a night deposit to PNC bank. Burger King cameras from Feb. 16 show Landles preparing a deposit of $764.15 but PNC records show a deposit of $614.15. By using PNC records and watching further store film, it was discovered that Landles had placed the original deposit bag in a safe for two hours, removed…

Aggravated Assault A New Brighton man was accused of aggravated assault following an incident in Ellwood City last week. Prior to this, Justin M Bryant, 27, was charged with criminal mischief for an incident occurring on Feb. 25. The victim advised police that Bryant was in her apartment destroying items. Investigating officers observed a smashed girls’ play house, a damaged sweeper, a damaged bookshelf and two holes in the wall. The victim reported Byrant hadn’t hurt her today but had done so in the past. Police confiscated a glass marijuana pipe belonging to Bryant. The defendant agreed to pay for…

K-9 Team Assists in Drug Bust The Ellwood City K-9 team assisted in the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force in an arrest on Pittsburgh Circle on Jan. 25.  According to a criminal complaint filed on Feb. 24, the K-9 team assisted in the arrest of Amanda Hasan and Tim Wilkes, who were wanted for heroin dealing. In addition, the K-9 team confiscated several items in the residence, including a baggie containing 7 grams of cocaine and about 50 white pills from Wilkes’ room. The K-9 team also discovered baggies of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia belonging to Korrie Asif…

Methadone-Influenced Driver Causes Accident According to the criminal complaint, on Feb. 10 at approximately 8:30 a.m., a vehicle traveling west on Lawrence Avenue failed to stop at a stop sign and hit a vehicle traveling south on Fourth Street. Investigating officers identified the driver as Luke Garrett Hogue, 29, of New Castle, who admitted to having recently left a methadone clinic. Hogue was charged with failing to stop at a stop sign and following a blood test, was charged with two counts of DUI. Retail Theft According to the criminal complaint, on Feb. 16 at approximately 12:21 a.m., officers responded…