Aug 13, 2013 By Katie Warco 4 min read

A Canonsburg woman who borough police believe had been selling crack for several months was arrested Aug. 9 after she allegedly sold the suspected drug to a confidential informant.

Mary Elizabeth Hall, 32, of 113 Boyle Ave., was taken into custody minutes after the transaction, which police say took place in a parking lot off South Central Avenue near McCoy Lane.

Borough police Detective Sgt. Al Coghill said police believed Hall had been selling crack based on prior complaints. A confidential informant made arrangements for the deal with Hall, he said.

After Hall was taken into custody, police searched her car and said they found additional crack packaged for sale in her purse. Police also found $600.

Mayor David Rhome said he appreciates the cooperation of the public as well as the assistance of other agencies, including the federal Drug Enforcement Agency. A Canonsburg police officer is assigned to work with the DEA.

Rhome said he has an open-door policy for anyone interested in providing police information about suspected drug deals. All information is kept confidential.

“But once the information is received, there may be a period of time before the final outcome results in an arrest,” the mayor cautioned.

Coghill said it is important for police to be alerted.

Hall was arraigned before District Judge David Mark on charges of possession with intent to deliver crack, delivery of crack and possession of crack and paraphernalia. She was placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 22 before Mark.

Three people were arrested Aug. 11 after stolen items from at least four businesses were found in a car, Peters Township police said.

Police responded to a call from Pittsburgh Comics, 113 E. McMurray Road, and upon arriving, the officer recognized Matthew R. Thompson leaving the store. Police said Thompson, 23, of 6044 Irishtown Road, Bethel Park, noticed the officer and began to run. He was apprehended by two officers in the parking lot of the BP gasoline station under construction on Washington Road.

When the officers were returning Thompson to Pittsburgh Comics, the owner was signaling the officers and pointing to a Chevrolet leaving the parking lot. Police said the car was stopped and inside were Maggie Anne Brown, 31, of 537 Duquesne Ave., Canonsburg, and Matthew E. Johns, 32, of 113 Golfview Drive, McMurray. Also found inside were $1,200 in supplements from Giant Eagle supermarket and GNC, along with books from Pat’s Hallmark, all in the Donaldsons Crossroads shopping center, police said. A comic was found in Brown’s purse, police said.

Police are continuing the investigation to determine the value of other items.

Brown was taken to Washington County jail on an outstanding warrant from Washington County Adult Probation. She will be charged with criminal conspiracy to commit retail theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Thompson was picked up on an outstanding arrest warrant from Bethel Park and was released to Bethel police. He will be charged by Peters police with retail theft and criminal conspiracy.

Johns was arraigned before District Judge James Ellis on charges of retail theft and criminal conspiracy. He was placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond.

Prevent theft

Dozens of Washington County residents could have saved themselves a call to police had they locked the doors to their vehicles after removing valuables from sight.

State police, along with police in Chartiers, Donegal and North Strabane townships, are investigating a rash of thefts of items from vehicles. Only one of the vehicles was locked.

Chartiers police received reports of vehicles entered in Meadow Lands. Vehicles parked on Ewing and Pike streets and Hallam Avenue were entered. Several owners reported the thief rummaged through glove compartments and consoles. Cash, GPS systems and cigarettes were stolen.

Several vehicles in North Strabane’s Meadowbrook neighborhood were entered late Sunday or early Monday. Cash, loose change and a gift card were among the items reported stolen as well as a cellphone charger.

Officer Eric Spicer said that valuables, like a gold locket, were overlooked by the thief.

“We believe they were on foot because we did find some footprints,” he added.

Chartiers police Chief James Horvath said his officers saw two people running in the Moniger area early Monday before the North Strabane thefts were discovered.

Police are urging vehicle owners to remove valuables and keep the doors locked.

“Please lock your doors,” Horvath said. “People always say that back when they were younger, they didn’t have to lock their doors. But this isn’t back when anymore.”

Anyone with information on the thefts can call Chartiers police at 724-745-8030 or North Strabane police at 724-746-8474.

Terri Johnson contributed to this story.