Week of Sept. 16
Bethel Park
Robbery and assault: Jeremy Montcerisier, 19, of Upper St. Clair was arrested Sept. 6 and charged with robbery, assault and retail theft. According to police, Montcerisier assaulted a loss prevention officer as he tried to leave Best Buy on Alicia Drive.
Pharmacy burglarized: Bethel Park police are investigating a burglary at Spartan Pharmacy, 3400 South Park Road, that occurred in the early morning hours of Sept. 4. Store surveillance footage showed two white males, each wearing hooded sweatshirts with the hoods up, entering Spartan Pharmacy through the front door. The two proceeded to the back of the pharmacy where they removed an undetermined amount of controlled prescription narcotics. Police did not identify the suspects, or amount of drugs that were taken by the burglars. Police said one of the suspect’s sweatshirt said “If MY P.O. ASKS I HANG DRY WALL.” The two men exited through the rear of the pharmacy and fled in an unknown direction.
Equipment stolen: Robert Henderson told police that $1,500 in lawn equipment was taken Sept. 9 from his vehicle while work was being done in Grandview Farms. The incident remains under investigation.
Cecil Township
Tire taken: Stephen Patnesky, 57 Second Street Ext., Lawrence, told police Sept. 8 that a 30-year-old Slick racing tire was missing from his property.
Vehicle reported stolen: Millicent Stearns, 102 Wilma Ave., Steubenville, Ohio, told police she rented a 2015 F-150 from Avis, 400 Southpointe Boulevard on Aug. 31. She said she added Regan Atkins as the second driver on the rental agreement. Police said Atkins took the vehicle, forcing Stearns to report it as stolen.
Dormont
Vehicle hits library: On Sept. 11, Dormont Borough police received a call in the early hours about a man sleeping in his vehicle parked in front of Dunkin’ Donuts on West Liberty Avenue. By the time police arrived, the vehicle had crashed into the front of the Dormont Public Library located across the street, taking out a parking meter in the process. No one was in the building at the time. Police arrested Jason Wilson, 26, of Sheridan. Wilson, who was not injured, was taken to St. Clair Hospital for a blood test. The results of the test will determine what kind of charges will be filed, police said.
Mt. Lebanon
Child pornography: Agents from the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section on Sept. 9 arrested a Mt. Lebanon man and charged him with distributing and possessing child pornography. According to the criminal complaint, Brian A. Bruder, 42, of 1150 Lakemont Drive, used a computer to download and share sexually graphic images of children. Mt. Lebanon police helped execute a search warrant at Bruder’s residence and, along with child predator section agents, seized an external hard drive and laptop computer, according to the attorney general’s office, which stated that a preliminary review of the devices by agents from the office’s computer forensics unit revealed several files indicative of child pornography. Bruder was placed under arrest and charged with two counts of distribution of child pornography, 18 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of criminal use of a communication facility. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 17.
Peters Township
Fleeing and eluding: Police arrested Benjamin Farkas, 20, of Elm Drive, McMurray, Sept. 13 and charged him with violating a probation warrant out of Washington County, fleeing and attempting to elude police, DUI, driving with a suspended license, reckless driving and turning movement signals and disorderly conduct. According to reports, Farkas was westbound on Thompsonville Road in Venetia. Police tried to stop Farkas, who then attempted to elude police on foot before he was caught and arrested. He was taken to the Washington County Jail.
Simple assault: Police charged Joseph Tomlin, 40, of Fulton Road, Venetia, with simple assault stemming from a Sept. 12 incident at his residence.