New Castle News

Local News

Discussion

July 16, 2010

Accused arsonists heading to court

By Staff New Castle News

NEW CASTLE — Thirteen charges were held for court, nine dismissed and two withdrawn at preliminary hearings Wednesday for two city men.

Half brothers Steven Sheridan, 22, and Mark Quear, 21, both of 118 N. Crawford Ave., were among six New Castle residents arrested Oct. 27, in connection with a spate of arsons on the city’s Lower East Side. Both remain free on a nonmonetary bond.

Ruben Suarez, 23, of 221 Bellview Ave., another of the six arrested last fall, testified against the brothers.

Suarez said the three, and sometimes others, generally smoked marijuana prior to setting the fires. He admitted to setting some of the blazes, but was vague or confused on addresses and details and generally cast himself in the role of lookout when fires were being set.

He is charged in nine arsons. Still in custody, Suarez said he was not offered any deals by the commonwealth in exchange for his testimony.

Defense attorneys David Acker, representing Sheridan, and Thomas Leslie, representing Quear, challenged the credibility of Suarez’s evidence several times.

Suarez, represented by attorney David Trautman of Pittsburgh, is being held in the Lawrence County jail on $450,000 bond and faces arson, burglary, theft and conspiracy charges.

Also testifying Wednesday was the prosecuting officer, Sgt. David Viggiano, who is the fire investigator for the New Castle Police Department; Jan Wilson, a retired Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal; Trooper Brian Crouch of the state police fire marshal’s unit; and Herbert Gupton of Croton Avenue, who reported seeing intruders on Croton Avenue on Nov. 29, 2007.

Both Sheridan and Quear were charged in connection with fires at 723 Chestnut St., 812 Croton Ave. and 201 N. Walnut St. Quear also was charged in connection with a garage fire at 118 Crawford Ave.

District Judge Melissa Amodie:

•Held for court charges of criminal trespass and criminal conspiracy to commit trespass against both Quear and Sheridan for the fire at 812 Croton Ave., a vacant house that burned Nov. 29, 2007.

•Held for court charges of criminal conspiracy to commit arson against Quear at the Croton Avenue house, but dismissed the same charge against Sheridan.

•Held for court charges against both Sheridan and Quear involving a vacant house at 201 N. Walnut St. on Sept. 4, 2008. They are: burglary, arson to intentionally destroy a vacant building and one count each of conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit arson.

•Dismissed charges of arson, burglary and conspiracy to commit arson and burglary against both men in connection with a fire in an abandoned house at 723 Chestnut St. on Nov. 8, 2008.

Assistant district attorney Luanne Parkonen withdrew charges of arson and conspiracy to commit arson against Quear, who was charged in connection with a fire at a garage at 118 N. Crawford Ave.

 

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • police.jpg New city police chief leads raid on drug house

    Bobby Salem took a bite out of New Castle’s illegal drug trade on his first day as city police chief. He oversaw a raid on a suspected “drug house” at 1610 E. Washington St. yesterday netting guns, drugs and  money, and resulted in the arrests of five out-of-town, low- to mid-level drug dealers.

    February 11, 2012 1 Photo

  • New Castle council refinances bond

    New Castle City Council adopted an ordinance yesterday to refinance a 2005 bond issue. Council adopted an ordinance on Jan. 26 to refinance.

    February 11, 2012

  • Salem.jpg City’s new police chief sworn in

    Robert A. Salem was sworn in Thursday night as New Castle’s police chief. City council confirmed his appointment on a 3-0 vote before a packed council chambers that included family members and fellow police officers. Other officers stood in the hallway outside chambers.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • Supervisors probe floor at ice rink

    The Neshannock Township supervisors are investigating the crumbling new floor at the Hess Ice Rink. The supervisors will send a letter to Sierra Stone of Grove City, the company that installed the a rubberized floor made of recycled tires, in the lobby, two bathrooms and two locker rooms.

    February 10, 2012

  • Council OKs assessments

    New Castle City Council approved compromise assessment settlements for two properties Thursday night.

    February 10, 2012

  • Council briefs: A roundup from meeting

    Reporter John K. Manna offers a roundup of items from Thursday night’s meeting of New Castle City Council.

    February 10, 2012

  • Russo.jpg Local firefighter honored for rescue efforts

    Rick Russo and Robert Spitko II had never really made each other’s acquaintance until this week. But one rainy, foggy night in August, the two firefighters worked shoulder to shoulder in a rescue attempt that saved the life of a homeless woman stranded in a rising stream near Norristown, Pa.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • County has 550 properties available

    Anyone wanting to buy properties from Lawrence County’s repository has a few new rules to follow. The county has deed to about 550 properties that have gone unsold through annual tax “upset” and free and clear sales.

    February 9, 2012

  • Shad.jpg Shad Hanna’s: Demolition expected to resume

    Demolition of the former Shad Hanna’s restaurant is about to resume. Anthony Cioffi, New Castle code enforcement foreman, said the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection halted the demolition to determine if any asbestos was in the building.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Kladitis.jpg Northminster launching Bible study for young adults

    Anthony Kladitis, youth pastor at Northminster Presbyterian Church, is launching a new Bible study. Called “Engage(d),” he promises that the gathering “is not your father’s Bible study.”

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo