New Castle News

Local News

Discussion

February 3, 2009

Multiple charges filed after incident

A New Wilmington man is charged with burglary and other offenses in connection with an incident involving Westminster College property.

Alan E. Bowen, 36, of 74 Bowen Road was charged by New Wilmington police as the result of a Dec. 4 incident at the Westminster College field station on Fayette-New Wilmington Road.

Just after 12:30 a.m. that day, police said, a college public safety officer discovered two full containers of gasoline along the road in front of the field station. While searching the area, the officer saw a vehicle without headlights fleeing from an adjacent private driveway.

The officer notified New Wilmington police, who attempted to stop the vehicle at the intersection of Route 208 and Fayette-New Wilmington Road, according to police. However, the driver refused to stop and police chased the vehicle west on Route 208, sometimes reaching speeds of more than 90 mph, they said.

The vehicle turned north onto Bethel-New Wilmington Road and continued at a high speed while officers pursued it, police said. The vehicle then turned into a private driveway, went through a back yard and into a swamp.

With the vehicle stuck in mud, the driver fled into nearby woods and escaped, said police, who discovered the it was registered to Bowen.

According to police, immediately after the pursuit Bowen contacted a friend, Jodi Watt of Sharpsville, and instructed her to report the vehicle as having been stolen from her home. Watt reportedly did so and has been charged by Sharpsville police with filing a false report.

Bowen also reported to New Wilmington police that the vehicle had been stolen, and claimed he had an alibi of being with another person in a Mercer bar. But police reported they had interviewed that person, who said Bowen had not been with him at the time of the incident.

In addition to burglary, Bowen faces charges of criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, trespass by motor vehicle, fleeing/attempting to elude a police officer, driving without lights to avoid identification or arrest, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident and false reports to law enforcement.

He was arraigned by District Judge Scott McGrath and placed in the Lawrence County jail in lieu of $20,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Lawrence County Central Court.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • 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

  • Baden woman seeks Senate seat

    Kimberly Pazzanita Villella of Baden has announced her candidacy for the state Senate in the 47th District. A Democrat, Villella is beginning her second four-year term on Baden Borough Council.

    February 8, 2012

  • money.jpg City pension fund sees gain in final quarter

    The city of New Castle’s employee pension fund gained in value during the last quarter of 2011. The gain is attributed to a strong showing in the stock market during the period following poor performance in the previous three months.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • gavel.jpg Judge denies new trial in McGaffic case

    Senior Judge Michael J. Wherry has denied a new trial regarding a property in downtown New Castle. In an order of court handed down yesterday, Wherry denied a new trial “because the plaintiffs lack standing as explained in the order of court dated Dec. 21, 2011.”

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • Olszak.jpg Mitchel Olszak: Scammers learn to feed off human fear

    A few weeks ago, my computer went crazy. Boxes filled with warning notices and ominous-looking yellow triangles popped up on my screen, to tell me my system was filled with dangerous viruses. I was in imminent danger of having all sorts of personal information, passwords and financial data stolen.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • manna.jpg John K. Manna: State Supreme Court explains fault with redistricting plan

    A couple of things: We finally have an opinion. A week after it threw out a redistricting plan for state legislative districts, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court released its opinion yesterday.

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

  • Mitchell.jpg Elected councilman contests disqualification

    A New Castle City Council candidate contends he should not be disqualified from holding office because he is seeking clemency.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo