Birthdays

April 20

Nicholas Anderson, Steubenville

April 21

Paisley Moore, Cadiz

Police Beat

STEUBENVILLE POLICE

Tracked: A Steubenville man was charged following an alleged road rage incident in the 4000 block of Sunset Boulevard. The victim told police the driver of a white Ford pickup was “tailing him in an aggressive manner” in the 3900 block and he could see the driver “flailing his hands and flipping him off.” He said he moved into the other lane and the pickup driver “cut in front of him and slammed on his brakes,” causing him to rear-end the truck. A witness who had been working outside told police the pickup was “traveling at a high rate of speed” when it pulled in front of the other driver and braked. Police allege that when they spoke with Richard J. Godman, 46, 180 N. Fourth St., Steubenville, he “admitted that he slammed on his brakes,” causing the other vehicle to rear-end him. Godman was charged with reckless operation, police said.

Pumped up: A man trying to maneuver around a gas pump at the downtown Speedway Saturday ended up “driving straight into it,” a manager reported. Police reviewing security footage said the driver of a white sedan hit the pump hard enough that they “could see it move.” Cameras captured him getting out to examine the damage to his car before fueling at a different pump, going inside “and seem[ing] to briefly interact with staff,” and speaking briefly with another customer before leaving. Employees said he never reported hitting the pump or the gasoline leak, and other customers alerted them afterward. Employees used the emergency shutoff to stop the gas supply to all pumps. Police used city cameras to trace the vehicle’s license plate and said photos matched the owner. Employees said gas pumps can cost up to $70,000 to replace, police said. The vehicle was later located parked in the alley behind Lawson Avenue and towed.

Spring fling: An Austintown woman is facing multiple charges after she was allegedly caught Sunday with more than $1,000 in stolen clothing, undergarments, jewelry, a bikini and shoes, much of it still bearing JCPenney tags, police said. Stacey L. Czap, 49, was charged with felony theft, possession of criminal tools and criminal mischief. An officer observed her leaving the store after several hours with a large purse that “appeared to be stuffed full of belongings.” When stopped, she asked why employees would suspect her of shoplifting and said she “couldn’t find any (low-cut jeans) that would fit her” so she left to find a restroom. Police said they found “multiple pieces of clothing” with Penney’s tags still attached, as well as scissors, a pocket knife, a large magnet and multiple loose tags, which they said “appeared heavy-duty enough to remove magnetic security locks from merchandise.” Czap initially said she purchased the items earlier but later admitted to stealing them, police said.

A female companion had no contraband, police said. Employees later revised the stolen merchandise total upward by nearly $400 after discovering she was wearing multiple layers of clothing with additional tagged items concealed underneath, along with nine pieces of jewelry. Police also found merchandise with tags still attached from Dollar General, Big Lots and TJ Maxx in the vehicle.

Dog abandoned: A woman in the 1300 block of Oregon Avenue said Sunday her neighbor had been gone for several days and she heard a dog inside barking and whining. She said the landlord refused to help, so she entered the unlocked home and released the dog, a young pit bull, which she has been caring for since. Police contacted animal control for assistance.

Smoked out: A woman in the 500 block of South Fourth Street said she wanted a man removed from her home Friday because he was “smoking meth and calling her names.” The man denied making any statements to the caller and told police he was leaving.

Booked: Richard German, 29, no fixed address, was held without bond on charges of theft, obstructing official business, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia. Employees at the downtown Speedway alleged German grabbed a beer and fled without paying, police said. When officers attempted to speak with him, German “took off running and spiked the beer onto the ground” in front of the high school. Once in custody, German declined medical attention but allegedly admitted “he does crystal meth” and had a metal pipe with chore boy in his possession, police said.

Truth be told: A man who identified himself as a security officer at an apartment complex in the 100 block of North Fourth Street said a woman who had been trespassed the night before returned Saturday. He insisted he was an employee of the building’s owners, but police noted he and the woman are “in a relationship and constantly fighting with each other.” The woman said she had been invited by a resident and believed the man was trying to have her removed so he could assault her as she left. Police advised her to remain inside for the night, noting she was visibly intoxicated. The man also was advised to stay away from her. Police said no documentation of a ban was provided.

Locked up: Employees at McDonald’s said two women locked themselves in the restroom Friday and refused to leave. They left before police arrived.

Out of it: A caller reported a man with two dogs was “passed out in the SVRTA bus shelter” in the 2500 block of Sunset Boulevard Friday. Police awakened him and advised him to move on.

Booked: Ryan Gooch, no age listed, 180 N. Fourth St., Apt. 616, Steubenville, was charged with criminal trespass and misdemeanor theft Saturday. Employees at Walmart alleged Gooch concealed merchandise in bags and the back of his pants, police said.

Break time: A man was found “sleeping or unresponsive” in the grass in the alley between Braybarton and Wilmar Avenue. He told police he was “just tired and was laying there for a moment.” He refused medical attention.

Potty mouth: Callers reported individuals in a black SUV were “shouting obscenities to a vehicle ahead of them” in a drive-thru line Saturday. The other vehicle was gone when police arrived.

Helpful mom: A Rosswell Avenue resident said Friday her mother “is constantly harassing her by sending both police and CPS to her residence” and had contacted Social Security and changed her address “so that her checks would be sent to her mother.”

Booked: Tony Meachum, 37, 1419 W. Adams St., Steubenville, was charged with obstructing official business and resisting arrest and cited for expired registration Friday. Police allege Meachum was “argumentative and decided to walk away” during questioning and later lunged at an officer, making physical contact. A passenger, Michelle Haney, 44, also of 1419 W. Adams St., was cited for obstruction.

It’s not working: A passerby reported yelling and a female throwing items from a porch in the 1300 block of Oak Grove Avenue Saturday. The woman said her “small children were causing her stress” and that she had taken medication “to help calm her.”

Break-up drama: A woman said she brought divorce papers to her estranged husband Saturday and they began arguing over “the girl that caused their divorce.” She said he grabbed her wrists, shook her and grabbed her shirt, though police noted no visible injuries.

Cars damaged: A hit-skip driver damaged at least four vehicles Sunday in the 800 block of Woodlawn Road. The driver left a note with a phone number, but police were unable to make contact. A woman who was in the vehicle said she did not know where the driver lived or what kind of vehicle he drove. The front passenger-side wheel of one vehicle was heavily damaged, police said.

Served: Victor T. Lancaster, 54, 2417 Macadoo Ridge, Wellsburg, was served multiple felony warrants Friday.

Booked: Kenneth L. Coates, 35, Youngstown, was held without bond on a bench warrant and parole violation Friday.

Summons issued: Christina M. Snyder, 36, Youngstown, was charged with misdemeanor theft. Employees alleged she drank a Monster energy drink, hid two Little Debbie snack cakes in her jacket pocket and went into the restroom at the midtown Speedway to eat them without paying. Empty wrappers were found in the trash, police said.

Code issues: Notices of violation were sent for high grass and weeds to properties at 133 Brockton Road, 2 Hawthorne Court, 144 Aberdeen Road, 539 N. Fifth St., 4701 Scioto Drive and 2422 Cleveland Ave. A separate notice was issued for 244 N. 10th St. for bags of garbage, junk and litter.

Cited: Gavin T. Bozica, 21, 2234 Sunset Blvd., Front 2, Steubenville, was cited for no registration and unsafe vehicle Friday. Lisa Ring, 40, 490 S. Fifth St., Steubenville, was cited for marked lanes violation.