Police Log: April 10, 2017

By Submitted Report
The Tube City Almanac
April 10, 2017
Posted in: Crime and Police News

• Arrest records published here were provided by the McKeesport Police Department.
• Not all arrest records are published.
• A report of an arrest does not mean the person identified has been convicted of a crime.
• All people arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Charged in Dispute: A Duquesne man faces a preliminary hearing Sept. 18 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi following a domestic disturbance at 2:20 p.m. March 18 in the 1900 block of Evans Avenue. McKeesport police charged Lavelle M. Coles, 20, with simple assault, strangulation, harassment and unlawful restraint.

Firearms Charges: Donnie Green, 31, addresses listed in McKeesport and Hazelwood, was ordered held for court by Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi on charges filed by McKeesport police of unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license and carrying a loaded weapon following an incident on the afternoon of March 18 in the 400 block of 26th Street. Additional charges were withdrawn. Green faces formal arraignment June 2 in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

DUI Charges: A West Mifflin man faces a preliminary hearing May 11 in connection with an accident on Dravosburg Hill that damaged a utility pole and Buono Brothers Monuments.

Bennie Carter, 51, is charged by McKeesport police with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a suspended license, driving without insurance and causing an accident involving unattended property.

According to a police report, Carter was the driver of a Ford van that collided on the night of March 21 with the pole in the 100 block of Richland Avenue, and then struck the Buono Brothers building. Police said Carter was taken to UPMC McKeesport hospital but declined a blood test.

Carter is free on his own recognizance pending the heading before Magisterial District Judge Richard D. Olasz Jr., court records indicate.

Theft Charges: Monica Fitzgerald, 45, of McKeesport was charged March 22 by McKeesport police with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and access device fraud in connection with the removal and misuse of a debit card from a taxi. Police said the victim was a taxi driver who reported that her card was stolen Dec. 1 and that two unauthorized purchases, totalling $139, were made at a store. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 15 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi Jr.

Robbery Charges: Deidra Shabazz-Lomax, 21, of McKeesport was charged by McKeesport police with aggravated assault, simple assault, robbery and theft by unlawful taking in connection with a strong-arm robbery Dec. 8 at a convenience store on Brownlee Street. Charges were filed with Magisterial District Justice Eugene Riazzi Jr. in McKeesport.

Theft, Drug Charges: Dana Gregurich, 33, of McKeesport was charged by McKeesport police with retail theft, possession of suspected heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia after an incident on March 12 at a store on Lysle Boulevard. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 8 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi Jr.

Charges in 10th Ward Incident: Five people were charged in connection with a disturbance in the 400 block of Pacific Avenue on the morning of March 11.

Police said the disturbance stemmed from an argument between three people over a cell phone that one of them thought may have been stolen, and hidden inside a vehicle. Police searched the vehicle and discovered suspected marijuana as well as drug paraphernalia.

After police took the owner of the vehicle into custody, according to a report, officers left the scene, only to be called back to the neighborhood when callers reported someone was hitting the car with a shovel.

Charged by McKeesport police were Grant Vangenewitt, 28, of Monroeville, with possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia; Kristy Kopps, 35, of McKeesport with theft by unlawful taking and criminal conspiracy; Bryan Gall, 43, of McKeesport, and Michael Vlastelica, 33, of McKeesport, with theft by unlawful taking, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief; and Renee Jones, 45, of McKeesport, with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 8 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi Jr.

Originally published April 10, 2017.

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