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January 16, 2008

Dog, helicopter aid in arrest

High tech equipment, a search dog and the state police helicopter assisted in the apprehension of a burglary suspect.

Northwest Lawrence Regional Police, who called for assistance from four other departments, believe Friday’s arrest, and one made the previous night, might have ended a three-week burglary/theft spree in Pulaski and Mahoning townships.

On Thursday, Northwest officers arrested Eric Stoner, 22, of 132 Redwood Circle, Pulaski. He was arraigned before District Judge Scott McGrath on charges of receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy and jailed on $1,000 bond. He posted bond Friday and was released from the Lawrence County jail.

On Friday, police arrested Chad McConahy, 22, of 355 Richards Lane, Edinburg.

He was taken into custody at a New Castle business while he was allegedly in the process of selling stolen merchandise, police said. New Castle police assisted in the arrest.

While McConahy was being questioned at the Northwest Lawrence police station in Pulaski Township, officers said, he slipped out of the handcuffs and ran into the woods behind the building.

Northwest officers called for assistance from Neshannock Township police, who provided thermal imaging equipment; New Castle police, who provided one of its canine officers; New Wilmington police; and the Pennsylvania state police, who provided a helicopter.

Working together, the five departments apprehended McConahy who was free from about 8 to 10:30 p.m. He was arrested in a wooded area near Maple Lane. Police said he had been spotted by the helicopter and was being followed by the canine officer.

Police said the police dog sustained a slight injury during the search.

McConahy was arraigned before McGrath on charges of burglary and receiving stolen property. His bond was set at $100,000 on that charge. He was also arraigned on charges of escape and flight to avoid apprehension. An additional $100,000 bond was set on that charge. He remains in the Lawrence County jail.

Police said many items were recovered and the whereabouts of other items is being investigated.

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