Crime Blotter: Threatening Calls, Thefts, Auto Accidents

Harassment

A woman on Ewalt Road in Richland Township received threatening phone calls around 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 from a man demanding money, Northern Regional Police Department reported.

The man, who identified himself as James Johnson, said he wanted $20,000 or he would kill the woman and her family, the police report stated.

After Officer Edward Savka arrived at the home to investigate, the man called again and Savka spoke to him, according to the report. The man used vulgarities when speaking to the officer, the report said.

"I told him to stop bothering the family or I would have his number traced," Savka said in the report. "He hung up."

The woman did an Internet search on the phone number and "multiple hits appeared as numerous people had made entries about being told that they were either winners of a lottery or being told that they owed this caller money," the police report stated.

Theft

Helen-Marie Croft-Norris of Valencia was arrested Feb. 11 at the Dollar Store in Richland Township for allegedly stealing two packages of M&Ms and two votive candles, Northern Regional Police Department reported.

The 52-year-old woman told police she had driven to the store in Richland Mall, but she did not have her driver's license because she lost it, the police report said. 

She produced an unofficial identification card and an expired Army ID, according to the police report by Officer Edward Savka.

Officer John Marasti found court papers in the woman's glove compartment that listed the woman's driver's license number, the police report stated, and records showed the license to be suspended.

Police transported the woman to the Allegheny County Jail, police said.

Theft

An 18-year-old male allegedly stole a silver tie tack valued at $18 from Kohl's department store in Richland Township on Feb. 11, Northern Regional Police Department reported.

The man had no previous arrests or warrants, according to the police.

"The male was released from the scene and advised he was no longer permitted back on the premises," according to the report by Officer Tammy Birmingham. He was also advised that he would be arrested if he returned, the report stated.

Criminal Mischief

• The manager of Sonic at 120 Towne Centre Drive in Wexford reported Feb. 2 that graffiti had been written in black marker in the men's bathroom,  police said. Manager Charles Diamond wanted simply to file a report; no other damage was reported, said police. Officer Mark Wolfe investigated.
• Linda Yigdall of 105 Drake Drive in Wexford reported Jan. 23 that someone had driven through her yard during the night, police said. Tire tracks also were discovered at 109, 113 and 115 Drake Drive. Officer Timothy Hohos investigated.
• Robert Bergdahl of 1765 Old State Road in Gibsonia reported someone had driven through his yard overnight on Jan. 23, police said. Officer Timothy Hohos investigated. 
• Lisa Staifield of 100 Franklin Road in Mars reported that someone drove through her yard between 8 p.m. Jan. 28 and 6 a.m. Jan. 29, police said. A vehicle was traveling southbound on Franklin Road at an unsafe speed when it failed to make a turn onto Warrendale-Bakerstown Road, police reported. It traveled straight across the road, sideswiped a utility pole, traveled into the yard, struck a pine tree and knocked it over, continued through the yard, got stuck and then dug up grass as it got out, stated police. From the look of the tracks, police said they believe the vehicle was an SUV or pickup truck. Staifield estimated the cost of the damage at between $400 to $500, police said. Officer Timothy Spontak investigated.

Harassment

A 49-year-old man who lives on Babcock Boulevard in Gibsonia reported to police that he received prank phone calls about a TV he advertised in the Penny Saver.

Although the man told the caller that the TV was sold, the caller "continued to place phone calls to the residence joking about the television advertisement," the Northern Regional Police Department report states.

The man "disconnected his telephone so he could go to bed" and requested that a report be filed as a matter of record, police said. Officer Jeffrey Jones investigated.

Harassment

A man living on Bakerstown Road reported Feb. 4 that he was being harassed about religion by two men in his neighborhood, according to Northern Regional Police Department. 

"The complainant said that they have been over to his home several times and have been at his home as late as (10 p.m.) telling him that he is a sinner and that God still loves him," the report stated.

The man asked that the men not come back onto his property, police said.

Officers Michael Dorsch and Mark Wolfe advised the visitors to leave the man alone or they would have charges filed against them, according to the report.

Theft

Police were called to Wal-Mart Feb. 4 for a theft in progress.

While en route, police were informed that a man had fled and a car was leaving the parking lot with a man, woman and baby in it.

"The male that was on foot had discarded a shaving razor and other items in the lot that (the loss prevention department) had secured," according to a Northern Regional Police Department report.

Officer Edward Savka investigated.

Criminal Mischief

A Gibsonia man reported that the window on his girlfriend's 1997 Chevrolet Blazer was broken, Northern Regional Police Department said.

Jesse Andrew Croyle in Gibsonia called police Jan. 17 when he noticed the damage as he was leaving for lunch from 5318 Pioneer Road in Gibsonia, according to police.

"Someone had apparently shot at the vehicle with a BB gun, which left a small hole in the window," the police report.

Traffic Accident

A woman was injured Feb. 7 when her car slid backward uncontrollably down a steep driveway on Dickey Road and crashed into a car, which collided with yet another car, Northern Regional Police Department said.

Melissa Dawson of Ephrata was injured when she "partially exited her vehicle in an attempt to stop the vehicle with her foot. As the (2003 Buick) continued to slide backward (her) left leg became entangled under the vehicle causing injury to the leg," the police report states.

The snowy, icy driveway was impassable and officers had to walk to the Gibsonia residence at 4044 Dickey Road, police said. Then police transported her to Richland EMS's base and she was taken by ambulance to UPMC Passavant, said police.

The second car involved in the accident, owned by Jill T. Mialki of West View, was towed by AAA,  police said.

After the second car was hit, it was propelled forward into a 2008 Chevrolet Trail Blazer owned by BBL Fleet Co. of Bridgeville, police said.

Traffic Accident

A 17-year-old Gibsonia youth lost control of his vehicle on an icy Gibson Road Feb. 2 and hit a tree, injuring his passenger, according to Northern Regional Police Department.

The passenger, who is 12, was transported to UPMC Passavant with neck pain and injuries to her face, the police report states.

"I found that the road surface was covered with a thin layer of ice," according to the report filed by Officer Andrew Bienemann. The accident happened around 7 a.m. close to the intersection with Route 910, the report states.

Traffic Accident

Two people were injured Feb. 7 in a two-car accident at the intersection of Route 910 and Turner Road, police reported.

Jeffrey Rhodes of Curtisville told police he was turning left onto Turner Road from Route 910 around 6 p.m. when he was struck on the passenger side, Northern Regional Police Department said.

Bridget Maher of Oak Road in Gibsonia said she was traveling east on Route 910 when the vehicle turned in front of her and she could not stop quickly enough, according to the police report.

Rhodes complained of back and neck pain and sought medical treatment on his own, police said.

Maher complained of back pain and was transported to a hospital by ambulance, said police.

Officer Edward Savka investigated.