CRIME & SAFETY
Man killed in Westmoreland County motorcycle crash
DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A 39-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle crash on Route 30 in Derry Township, Westmoreland County. The crash happened a little after 1:30 p.m. Monday. The Westmoreland County Coroner said Shawn Pynos, of Johnstown, was traveling west on the road when his motorcycle went...
South Greensburg man charged in Route 30 crash
A South Greensburg man is free on bail after being arraigned Wednesday on charges in connection with a July crash that left another driver seriously injured. State police said Victor J. Machesky Jr., 63, was impaired when the Toyota Tacoma he was driving crossed over the median of Route 30 in Hempfield and slammed into an oncoming vehicle. He is charged with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, reckless endangerment and related offenses.
Westmoreland County standoff ends in arrest after domestic dispute call
LIGONIER TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) -- A Westmoreland County man is facing multiple charges after police said he assaulted a woman then refused to come out of a home, leading to an hours-long standoff. Ligonier Valley police were called to Terrace Road around 4:15 p.m. on Sunday for a reported domestic dispute involving a victim who was injured, the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office said. The victim told an officer she was involved in a fight with 47-year-old Thomas Crary, who allegedly punched her several times in the face, grabbed her and tried to throw her over a railing from the second floor....
Police chase on Route 22 ends with driver in custody
A man was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon at the conclusion of a police chase on Route 22, according to police sources. The suspect took off from a traffic stop in Salem and fled west into Murrysville around 1:30 p.m. At points during the chase, which ended near Tarr Hollow Road, the man veered into oncoming traffic, the source said.
2 arrested in drug buy from confidential informant in North Huntingdon
Two men were arrested Monday in connection with a drug bust in North Huntingdon. An undercover police officer set up a drug buy with Larnell D. Jones III, 30, of Rankin, for $3,300 worth of heroin/fentanyl and crack cocaine, according to court papers. Jones met up with the officer and a confidential informant in a parking lot along Route 30 Monday to make the exchange, police said.
Retired Greensburg police officer Regina McAtee pleads guilty to methamphetamine distribution
A retired Greensburg police officer on Wednesday became a lawbreaker in the eyes of the criminal justice system she once upheld. Regina McAtee, 51, of New Kensington, who had been with the city force for more than 19 years, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Multiple police departments respond to incident in Swissvalle Wednesday afternoon
At least four people were detained in connection with an incident Wednesday in Swissvale. And Allegheny County 911 dispatcher said police were sent to the 7500 block of Roslyn Street shortly after 3 p.m. News partner WTAE reported several departments responded to what was described as a SWAT situation. Reporters...
North Huntington police say Duquesne man tried to sell 970 stamp bags of heroin/fentanyl
A 30-year-old Duquesne man is accused of having 970 stamp bags of suspected heroin and fentanyl that he allegedly intended to sell in North Huntingdon, township police said. However, the buyer was an undercover police officer, authorities said. The suspect, Larnell D. “Rock” Jones III, of Seward Street, was arrested...
Assault, harassment charges against suspended Pa. trooper held for court
Simple assault and harassment charges against a suspended state trooper were held for court Tuesday. Senior District Judge Charles R. Conway made the decision at the end of a preliminary hearing during which the accuser testified Nicholas E. Hood, 31, of Derry Township assaulted her during an argument Aug. 26 about a bees’ nest outside their home.
Dad speaks out as 2 children recover after falling from 3rd-story window in White Oak
Two of Tyler Jefferson’s three kids are on the road to recovery at Pittsburgh’s Children’s Hospital after a 30-foot fall from their third-story apartment window in White Oak Monday.
Police investigate car break-ins at Pittsburgh-area hiking trail
MONROEVILLE, Pa. (KDKA) — Monroeville police are investigating car break-ins at the Westmoreland Heritage Trail.Tracy Alaia is an avid hiker. On Sunday, she closed up her store in Irwin, went home to change and headed to the Westmoreland Heritage Trail. She told KDKA-TV's Mamie Bah that she forgot to leave her purse at home, so she hid it under the passenger seat.After an hour-long hike, Alaia went to the parking lot and saw her car broken into."You work hard for everything you have, and I love that little black purse. I had makeup and all my stuff. You just feel violated," Alaia said.Monroeville police said Alaia's car was one of two that were broken into on Sunday at the Saunders Station access point parking lot.KDKA-TV has learned this isn't the first time something like this has happened, but it's the first time this season, according to the President of Westmoreland Heritage Trail volunteers.
Tarentum man gets probation for 145-mph Route 28 crash that killed best friend
A Tarentum man who claimed that a heart condition caused him to pass out and hit 145 mph before he crashed his sports car on Route 28, killing his passenger, was sentenced Monday to five years of probation. Frederick Fattman, 79, could have been sentenced to incarceration, but Allegheny County...
Former firefighter pleads guilty to arsons in Arnold, New Kensington
Marilyn Bischof said she still doesn’t understand why her grandson burned down her Arnold home last fall. “I just want my grandson to know I am fine and I will get through this. I want him to get help and I am glad he came forward and took the blame for this,” she testified Wednesday during a hearing in which her grandson pleaded guilty to the Oct. 1 arson of her Leishman Avenue home.
Penn Hills man convicted on drug trafficking, firearms offenses
After deliberating for less than two hours, a federal jury found Harry E. Duncan, 36 of Penn Hills, guilty of three counts of violating federal drug and firearms laws on Monday. According to a press release, the verdict included one count each of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine; possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon; aiding and abetting the straw purchase of three firearms. Evidence that was presented at trial showed that in the fall of 2022, Duncan was the subject of an investigation by Allegheny County Police narcotics detectives. In November of 2022, detectives served a search warrant on Duncan’s home. Detectives found over 1,000 stamp bags of fentanyl, significant amounts of unpackaged fentanyl powder, powder cocaine and crack cocaine hidden in the ceiling. Detectives also found a large amount of drug packaging materials, scales, cash and 11 different cell phones in Duncan’s basement.
Youngwood man pleads guilty to drug sales in 2 fatal overdoses
A Youngwood man pleaded guilty Monday to selling drugs to two people who died of overdoses in 2020. Frank Bogley, 71, was charged following the Feb. 1, 2020, death of 39-year-old Tina Johnson in West Newton and again after the Oct. 24, 2020, death of John W. Wiltrout Jr., 58, in East Huntingdon.
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