Police Beat - 4/10

Two people injured in knife fight: Two people suffered non-life threatening injuries after Bridgeville police said a Washington County man tried to cut them with a knife shortly before midnight on April 4. Police said Benjamin Brown, 26, of Washington, cut one man with a knife and tried to injure a woman, but used the wrong side of the blade, causing marks on her arms during a fight in the 200 block of Prestley Road. Police said Brown also punched the woman in the face. Brown was taken to Allegheny County Jail and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment and harassment. The two victims were not identified by police.

Witness intimidation accusations: Bridgeville police are accusing a 51-year-old Crafton man of threatening a witness from a case in February. Police arrested Dan Rusin on April 2 just moments after his preliminary hearing before District Judge Maureen McGraw-Desmet on the original charges. Rusin was charged with witness intimidation, retaliation against a witness, terroristic threats and harassment, police said. Police originally arrested Rusin after investigators said he called 911 dispatchers twice on Feb. 10 claiming there were fights happening at Castaway’s. Rusin apparently was a former co-owner of the bar and restaurant on Washington Avenue.

Fight leads to charges: Christopher Ogden, 37, of Scott, was charged with harassment and terroristic threats following a fight on April 2, township police said. He was also charged with drunken later that day following a traffic stop on Hope Street, police said.

Disorderly conduct charge: Brian Anderson, 37, of Scott, was charged with disorderly conduct after township police said they found a small amount of marijuana on April 3.

Retail theft charge: Scott police charged Frank Twardy, 27, of Coraopolis, with retail theft after officers said he tried to take air fresheners from Shop ‘n Save without paying for them on April 5.

Harassment charge: Brian McGraw, 20, of Scott, was charged with harassment after a dispute on School Street on April 6.

Drug violations: Scott police said they charged Jamal Hatcher, 29, of Carnegie, and Keith Wilk, 28, of Scott, with drug law violations on April 6. Police said Hatcher also was wanted by Pittsburgh police.

Marijuana charge: Vendell Nasis, 18, of Carnegie, and a juvenile were charged with marijuana possession on April 6 after Scott police said they saw them in the 1100 block of Washington Avenue. Nasir was also charged with corruption of minors, police said.

DUI arrest: David Meyer, 54, of Collier, was charged with drunken driving on April 7 after Scott police said they stopped his car on Carothers Avenue.

Jewelry missing: Jewelry was missing from the Gift store along Cochran Road on April 4.

DUI hit-and-run: Collier police charged Donald Ciaccia with driving under the influence of drugs on March 23 after officers said he was involved in a hit-and-run accident on Washington Pike in Scott Township. Collier police said they found Ciaccia, 48, of Bridgeville, in his parked car on Neville Park Boulevard near the PennDOT building.

DUI arrest: Heidelberg police said they charged 47-year-old Rodney Firanski with drunken driving, driving on a suspended license and other motor vehicle violations after officers stopped his car on Route 50 at First Street on April 4.

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