Crime & Safety

Woman Who Allegedly Fought Officers During Traffic Stop Going to Trial

A driver who allegedly was under the influence of drugs and alcohol while fighting with officers and paramedics during a traffic stop waived all charges to court. Read about that and other preliminary hearing decisions by Magistrate Maureen McGraw-Desme

A driver who Collier police say was under the influence of drugs and alcohol while fighting with officers and paramedics during a traffic stop will head to trial on numerous charges.

Melani Buck, 36, of Tarentum, waived her right to a preliminary hearing on four felony charges of aggravated assault, along with other charges of DUI, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and criminal mischief.

Police said they stopped Buck on Pinkerton Run Road near Settlers Cabin Park before she allegedly kicked two officers and a paramedic. She later had to be taken to a Pittsburgh area hospital after suffering some sort of medical problem.

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She waived all of the charges before her preliminary hearing scheduled with District Judge Maureen McGraw-Desmet on Dec. 17.

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District Judge Maureen McGraw-Desmet – 12/17

Charges held for court

  • Harassment and terroristic threats charges against Lawrence Ciptak, 50, of Scott, were held for court. Collier Township police charged Ciptak on Oct. 7.
  • Charges of harassment and trespassing against Alan Chute, 23, of Upper St. Clair, were held for court. Collier Township police charged Chute on Feb. 13.

 

Charges waived to court

  • Charges of accident involving injury, careless driving and failure to notify police of an accident against James R. Michalowski Jr., 55, of Carnegie, were waived to court. Collier Township police arrested Michalowski on Aug. 24.
  • Theft and receiving stolen property charges against Jose A. Lebron, 41, of Swissvale, were waived to court. South Fayette police charged Lebron on Nov. 23.
  • A DUI charge and several traffic citations against Austin M. O’Brien, 18, of Oakdale, were waived to court. Collier Township charged O’Brien on Oct. 14.
  • Drunken driving charges against Andrew Nemec, 21, of Collier Township, were waived to court. Collier police charged Nemec following a rollover crash on Prestley Road on Oct. 11.


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